This Train Don't Stop

Fred groaned and rolled over, pulling his pillow over his head as he did so. With five brothers and a sister, it was nearly impossible to sleep in past 10:00 especially on weekends, a fact of life that Fred had realized early in his life. He hoped, by some odd miracle, that his pillow would muffle the sounds of Saturday morning breakfast being made in the kitchen downstairs…especially the yelling and arguing that he had only sibling rivalry to thank. “Go away,” he grumbled. “Class doesn’t start for ten more minutes!”

“No such luck, Fred!” A voice that was far too awake for this early in the morning called out as its owner pulled the pillow from Fred’s head. “Mum’s made bacon and eggs. And Dad apparently has some big announcement that he wants all of us to be around to hear.”

“Give me a break, Perce!” Fred growled and grabbed the pillow back from his brother. “I know under that holier-than-thou exterior you’ve got some Weasley mischief in you. Stop trying to be Mum’s perfect baby boy and let me go back to sleep!”

Percy laughed softly and sat down at the edge of Fred’s bed. Sighing Fred pulled the covers to his head and turned away. “I don’t need some speech, Percy. I’m tired, I’m out of school, and I’m 19 years old. Let me act like it, will you?”

“Fred, I know what’s bothering you. I can see where you’re coming from. I felt the same way at first, but eventually you’ll get used to it. It isn’t the end of the world, you know. There’s plenty of people out there and you’ll never make anything of yourself if you just sit here moping.” Percy patted his brother on the shoulder.

Fred sat up and looked his brother in the eye. “What on earth are you talking about? You can’t possibly understand what’s going on in my head right now Percy!” In the back of his mind, Fred was tempted to tell Percy about Angelina – out of all of his brothers it was Percy, after all, who had hidden his feelings for a girl for almost two years. He had eventually come clean and dated Penelope publicly. ‘Maybe he does know what’s going on with you,’ Fred thought. ‘On the other hand, this is Percy you’re talking about. He’s always been more of a babysitter than a brother…’ he argued with himself. He eyed Percy dubiously.

Percy grinned and pushed is glasses up on his nose. “I never said I knew what was going on in your head, Fred. Believe me, I’d be more than afraid to find out. I just meant that I know how different life after Hogwarts can be. You’re not used to it and you want everything to go back to the way it was, but you know it never can. You’re afraid to grow up.” Percy paused. “I felt that Fred, but I kept on going. Living in the past won’t do anything but hinder your present and prevent you a future.” Giving Fred one last significant look, Percy stood up and moved to the door. “Come down to breakfast, we’re all waiting. And in the meantime, I know I come off as unapproachable and snobby sometimes, but I do care about you. If you need to talk to me, you know where to find me, Fred.”

Fred watched in astonishment as his seemingly perfect brother left the twins’ room, shutting the door behind him. ‘What just happened here?’ Fred shook his head in disbelief as he stood and walked over to the mirror. Shaking his head at his reflection, he licked his fingers and tried to smooth down the ends of his tousled bed head.

“It’s going to take more than that, honey!” The mirror called out as Fred turned away.

“Oh, hush you!” he reprimanded, but not before taking one last glance at himself. Opening his chest of drawers, Fred pulled out one article of clothing after another. He needed to look at least a little presentable for his Apparition test later in the day. After much hassle from George, their father had promised to take them to Diagon Alley that day. Fred suspected it was more to get George out of his hair than anything else.

“Aw, screw it!” Fred kicked the pile of robes that had collected around his feet and stomped out the door. It was only breakfast, after all. What did it really matter if he came downstairs in his creased pajamas looking as if he had just rolled out of bed against his will? At least he wouldn’t be deceiving anybody.

Fred moved to the door, but stopped in his tracks when he noticed a rolled up piece of parchment sitting on his night table. Carefully unwrapping it, he read over the letter that had never made it to Angelina. ‘Or was refused by her…’ Fred added silently to himself.

Dear Angelina,

I canÂ’t believe that weÂ’ve graduated from school already. It seems like only yesterday that I introduced myself to you at Quidditch practice in second year. If I told you then that you would give such a smashing graduation speech as Head Girl, you probably wouldÂ’ve laughed in my face. But it was great, Angie, really. IÂ’m sorry I threw you off guard by interrupting you like that. I really shouldÂ’ve been more considerate, but I wasnÂ’t thinking.

I hope youÂ’ve settled in your new house. ItÂ’s probably bigger than the flat you told me that you and your aunt had in London, isnÂ’t it? Maybe once I get my Apparition license your aunt will let me come visit you. George has been on DadÂ’s back about it since we came home. HeÂ’s finally given in and is taking us to Ministry Headquarters in a few days. IÂ’d really like to see you. I miss not walking to class with you every day. Of course, I donÂ’t miss class, but IÂ’m sure you know what I mean.

You can use Pig to send a letter back since I know that you donÂ’t have an owl. I was also going to send you a sample of the new gag that George and I developed before we left Hogwarts, but knowing Pig we wouldÂ’ve eaten it before he could get it to you. I swear, RonÂ’s owl is as stupid as they come. I wouldÂ’ve sent the letter to Harry so he could send it to you through the Muggle post, but I havenÂ’t a clue as to where to tell him to send the letter.

Fred

It had been too much to hope for that she would return a letter that mimicked his own feelings. It was his own fault, he supposed, for not realizing his feelings before it was too late. He had, however, expected him to write him a friendly response at the least. Crumpling the parchment into a ball, he used his wand to light it on fire. He watched it shrivel to ashes before going downstairs to breakfast.

It hadn’t occurred to Fred that the normal din of the Weasley family in the morning had slowly melted to a few selective whispers. The silence hit Fred like a truck as he entered the kitchen and sat between Ginny and Percy. He was all too aware of George and Ron snickering at his appearance. “I really like Fred’s new hairdo, don’t you Ron?” George whispered quite loudly.

Glaring at them, Fred slumped down in his chair and grabbed a piece of toast. Placing it on his plate, he drowned it in maple syrup and stabbed it with his fork. “I’m not deaf, you know.” He said acidly.

Percy kicked him under the table and Fred raised his eyebrows, staring at him in surprise. “George, you do realize that by insulting Fred’s appearance, you are making fun of yourself. You haven’t forgotten that you’re identical twins, have you?” Percy winked at Fred.

George fixed his glare on Percy, and opened his mouth the say something in response. When Percy stared back stonily, George shut his mouth quickly. Ron chuckled under his breath.

Fighting back a grin, he broke into laughter and slapped Ginny on the back. “So how is your summer vacation treating you, sissy?”

Ginny glared at Fred with disbelief. “You know very well how my summer is going, Fred Weasley. We’ve only been home for a few days and I’ve already gotten three owls from Neville Longbottom. I wish I could get through to him that I’m not interested. I don’t want to hurt his feelings if I can help it.”

Ron flashed a smile and lobbed a sausage link at her across the table. Laughing because it hit her in the forehead, he teased her. “Fred, make her tell you who she wishes would owl her!”

Ginny scowled darkly at Ron before flushing scarlet and looking down at her plate. She listlessly pushed her eggs around the dish with her fork.

“Must be Harry, then,” Percy whispered in Fred’s ear. Fred couldn’t help but wonder why Percy was being so extremely, well, nice to him.

George had noticed the camaraderie between his twin and older brother and was about to open his mouth to comment when Molly and Arthur Weasley came into the kitchen, beaming broadly. Fred was glad for the interruption.

“Good morning, Mum, Dad,” he said quickly before spearing a sausage and forking it into his mouth. He quickly realized that he didn’t know how hungry he was until he began eating. Noticing that his siblings had laid down their forks and knives to look at their parents, Fred did the same.

Something wasn’t right. His mum hadn’t coddled any of them, and not even criticized his poor appearance at the breakfast table. His father stood very close to her, his arm circling her waist. Fred mentally kicked himself. ‘Percy said Dad had something important to tell us. I can’t believe I forgot already.’

He glanced from his siblings to his parents. Leaning back in his chair, Fred crossed his arms over his chest. “Allright, come out with it, then!”

Ginny rolled her eyes and mumbled quietly. “At least someone is back to normal.”

Molly freed herself from her husband’s grasp. “Well, first things first, I suppose. Harry will not be coming to stay with us this summer. Dumbledore –“

She was cut off by Ron’s fist pounding on the table. “Why the bloody hell not? Mum, you can’t possibly agree to leaving him with those awful Muggles!”

Fred patted his youngest brother on the back. “Watch your language, Ronniekins.”

Arthur cleared his throat. “I’m sure Dumbledore has good reasons for making his decision. It isn’t our place to question him, although I can assure you that we did everything in our power to get him to change his mind.”

“That poor boy in that awful house,” Molly shook her head sadly.

“Was there something else, Mum, or can we get to eating again?” George tapped his finger impatiently on the placemat.

Molly smiled brightly. “Oh yes, of course…” She looked up at her husband and smiled as he draped his arm around her shoulders.

“Can we get on with it?” George continued.

“I would’ve liked for Bill and Charlie to be here, but neither of them were able to get away from their jobs for the weekend, so we’ll have to notify them through the owl post…” Molly started.

“We weren’t meaning for it to happen, but we couldn’t be more excited about it. It’s been over fourteen years…” Arthur continued.

Fred couldn’t take any more of the suspense. He had made up his mind to try to owl Angelina one more time and could hopefully use Errol if Percy continued to be so brotherly towards him. He wanted to get on with breakfast, pass his test, and get started as soon as possible. He couldn’t wait a second longer. He banged his hands on the table and stood up. “Since what, already?”

“Since we’ve added another Weasley to the family.” Molly said softly, looking at her children, expectantly waiting their reactions.

~*~

The first thing Angelina remembered doing when she came to was sneezing. Pulling her hand to her forehead, she was distinctly aware of a voice speaking to her. “Angie, honey, you really oughtn’t sit up yet. You’ve fainted and had a nasty fall.”

With relief she recognized her aunt’s voice and fluttered her eyelids. As the shape in front of her came into focus, she pulled herself up to a sitting position on the couch. Her eyes darted around the room in terror. She remembered going to the door and fainting in the foyer. Someone must have moved her into the sitting room. “Aunt Callie, last night, Sirius Black…”

She could’ve sworn she’d seen Callie’s eyes crinkle with smile-lines as she forced her to lay down again on the sofa. “I heard you talking to someone on the telly, saying that someone was going to find me here and kill me! And he did! Aunt Callie, in the wizarding world, Sirius Black is an escaped mass murderer! He killed one of my classmates’ parents!! He was here, he was! I saw him!” Angelina sneezed again, more violently than before.

“Hush now, Angie. You just had a bad dream that’s all.” Callie lifted a moist towel to Angelina’s forehead. For the first time since she had come to, she noticed a large black dog sitting in the corner by the fireplace. Raising her eyebrow, she looked at it. As if acknowledging her attention, the dog panted heavily.

“Aunt Callie,” Angelina sneezed again. “Why is that dog in here? I’m allergic to dogs and cats! I told you about my friend Hermione and how I get a sinus infection just thinking about her cat. Don’t you remember?” She rubbed her nose as if trying to make the itch go away.

Callisto laughed broadly. “I know that, sweetie.” She walked over to the mutt and scratched behind its ears. “You’re such a good doggie, aren’t you?” She added under her breath, “a little smelly though, don’t you think?”

The dog growled and walked over to Angelina. She could have sworn that she saw its eyes twinkle as it licked her in the face. Her body shook with an explosive sneeze. “Aunt Callie!!! Get it away from me!”

She shook her head, thinking her eyes must have been playing tricks on her. That dog could not have possibly grinned at her. She looked towards her aunt, and was surprised at the look in her eyes. “I can’t do that, Angie.”

Angelina threw her hands up in exasperation. “Why not? He’s just a dirty mutt!”

“I resent being called a mutt, Angelina.” A man’s voice interrupted their argument.

Angelina’s head snapped towards the source of the voice and gasped when she came face to face with her attacker from last night. “Aunt Callie, go into the next room,” she hissed.

Sirius Black laughed and enveloped the petite girl into a big hug. “Did Callie ever tell you that you are the spitting image of your father? But I swear you act just like your mother. She was overly suspicious of me too, although she had good reason to be.” He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “She was always one of the targets for our mischief in school.”

Angelina shrunk away from the man. “You killed them too? Just like Harry’s parents! What do you want from me?”

Sirius’ eyes glazed with tears at the memory of his best friend and his wife. He turned to Callisto. “You didn’t tell her, did you, Cal?”

Angelina looked at her aunt out of the corner of her eyes and saw her shake her head.

Sirius turned back to Angelina and knelt down next to the sofa, grasping her small hand in his large one. “I didn’t kill the Potters, Angie. I was framed.”

Angelina snorted. “Then why were you in Azkaban for fourteen years? Why should I believe you?” She felt her nerves coming back to her. She knew in the back of her mind that she was in no danger from Sirius Black. If he had wanted to kill her, he wouldn’t have wasted so much time getting the job done.

Callie interrupted the scene. “You have to believe him, Angie. He’s my brother – your uncle.”

Angelina’s eyes flew from her Callie to Sirius. “My – my uncle?” She blanched and felt her forehead. She seemed so dizzy all of a sudden.

Sirius grinned. “Now don’t go fainting on me again! I was so worried about you last night!” He hugged her again, leaving her gasping for air. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that, Ange. I’ve been watching you grow up for the past 18 years and’ve had to take a backseat while I let my sister raise you without my input – and as a Muggle, no less. Orion would’ve hit the ceiling if he knew.”

Angelina smiled shyly. “You’ve been looking after me?”

Callie grinned. “How do you think you developed your aversion to dogs?”

Angelina furrowed her brow as her stomach growled. “How long was I out?”

“I’ve already made up some lunch. It’s in the kitchen. If you’re feeling up to it, I’ll set it out on the table.” Callie moved into the kitchen, leaving Angelina alone with Sirius.

She glared at him suspiciously. “Don’t think I’m going to just trust you out of the blue. Right now, you’re still a wanted criminal in my book.” She attempted to get up off of the sofa and quickly sat back down as her head swam with dizziness. “I guess I’m still a bit dizzy.”

Sirius tried to mask the hurt look in his eyes. Despite understanding why she had said and felt the way she did, it still hurt to have his brother’s child mistrust him so openly. “Understandable. You did faint after all. Let me help you up off the sofa.” Supporting her weight, Sirius began to lead her into the kitchen, but stopped when an owl flew in through an open window to the left. Untying the letter from the owl’s leg, he shooed it away, much to the owl’s protest. Reading the name on the parchment, he handed the letter to Angelina. “It’s for you.”

Angelina’s face lit up as she took the letter from her uncle, forgetting for the moment that he was a convicted murderer, innocent or not. Reading the inscription on the note, she quickly ripped open the envelope. “It’s from Fred!” She smiled brightly.

Sirius glanced at her curiously before speaking. “…Weasley?”

~*~