Chapter 1 (Ava)

"No. I cannot allow you to do this." Remus shook his head, his eyes closed.

I stared at him, my mouth open. "Why?" I protested, taking a step towards him.

Standing in the kitchen of the Burrow whilst everyone else was chatting in the living room made the day feel just like any other day. Except it wasn't.

This day had been planned for weeks by the Order- Harry was leaving Privet Drive for good. Order members had been in and out of the Burrow for the whole day, making sure that everything had been put into place for the mission.

Everyone else, aside from Mrs. Weasley and Ginny, was going to help with the mission as it was an important one. And I had asked Remus if I could help as well.

"Because it's too dangerous." Remus had his hands in his hair as if he were about to pull it out.

"Dangerous?" I almost laughed, "What matters if it's too dangerous? I still went to the Astronomy Tower at the end of last year, and I knew that was going to be dangerous. It didn't stop me."

"Ava..." Remus sighed, "That was different. You wanted to save Harry and Dumbledore. You were the only person who knew about it. This time, the whole Order has it under control, and there are enough people on the mission."

"If it's so dangerous, why are you letting Tonks go?" I muttered. Tonks and Remus had only got married last week, and I could see how much he loved her.

Remus shook his head, "Tonks is a member of the Order. You are not."

"But I could be!" I cried, willing Remus to understand.

"Ava... I don't understand this sudden desperation to become a member of the Order. A month ago you didn't even mention it, and now, on the night of the mission, you tell me that you want to join in." His voice was quiet.

"I want to help my brother, I want to help our side."

"But why?" Remus' voice was getting louder, and he looked ready to cut the conversation short.

"I have to..." I trailed off.

I wanted to help Harry- why didn't he understand?

Finally, I spoke. "I have every right to do this- I'm nineteen, Remus. I should be able to make my own decisions. And I want to help the Order. I want to help my brother. Can you not just let me-"

"No!" Remus caught me by surprise by shouting, and the chatter in the living room faltered for a moment before starting again, more quietly.

"No." He repeated, his voice quiet but harsh.

I spun around and walked towards the window, my blood boiling with frustration. Why wouldn't he just let me?

In the reflection of the glass, I could see Remus shaking his head tiredly.

"Last year," I whispered, "I spent the whole time fighting for the wrong side. I was... I was working for them. Now, I'm finally free of that- of all of that. But I've never done a single thing for the Order. And I want to. Because I need to shake away every last feeling that working with the Death Eaters gave me. If I... if I do this one thing- I'll feel like I've done something right."

Remus walked towards me slowly and muttered, "You never did anything wrong, Ava."

I turned to face him, and he shook his head, defeated, "Fine."

A grin spread across my face as I stood on my tip-toes and kissed him on the cheek, "Thank you. You know I won't do anything stupid."

As I walked out of the kitchen, I was sure that I heard Remus mutter, "Do I?" but when I stopped and turned to face him he was staring out of the window.

I shook the thought away and walked into the living room.

Ron and Hermione were sharing the sofa, both in deep conversation with each other. Ginny, Fred and George were playing Exploding Snap in the corner, but when I walked in, Fred put the cards down immediately.

He looked at me expectantly, and I gave him a thumbs up. "After plenty of pleading on my behalf, Remus has decided to let me go."
"I guess I've won then, if Fred's given up already." George chuckled, and his twin raised his eyebrows.

"I am the King of Exploding Snap. This one game will not have changed your status of 'peasant', Georgie."

I laughed and sat down beside Fred, studying his face. His cheeks were covered in more freckles than usual as we had spent so much time in the sun.

We both knew that sitting in the garden and letting the sunlight warm our skin would not stop the war- but it was a useful distraction. We helped where we could- Fred more than me as he and George were members of the Order- but it was nothing compared to how much Remus and the rest of the Order were doing.

Fred reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, pulling me away from my thoughts and making my cheeks flush, "Are you sure you want to go on the mission?"

"Of course." I nodded, "I want to help Harry."

"As long as you're safe, then that's all that matters." He spoke softly, reaching out to take my hand.

The moment our skin made contact, I felt my nerves go into overdrive and my skin tingle. I longed to reach out and feel the sensation of my lips against his, but with everyone else in the room, it didn't feel right.

Mr. Weasley walked into the room, breaking the spell.

"Is everyone ready? We need to leave now, Mad Eye says."

We all started to stand up, muttering quietly amongst ourselves. Mr. Weasley led us all out into the garden, and Mad Eye pointed out the broomsticks, a large motorbike and two skeletal, winged black horses- Thestrals.

"Right." Mad Eye growled, "While we're flying to Privet Drive, we'll have to use Disillusionment Charms. We can't risk being seen, especially in a large group."

Bill and Fleur appeared beside me, holding hands and talking quietly.

Bill had recovered well from Fenrir Greyback's attack last month, now with only a scar as evidence of the attack. He had been lucky- Remus said that as Fenrir had not transformed during a full moon, Bill would not become a werewolf.

I reached out to touch the handlebars of the motorbike absentmindedly.

Hagrid appeared beside me, "It was Sirius', you know."

My eyes widened and I turned to face the half-giant, "Sirius used to own this motorbike?"

I glanced up at Remus and he nodded sadly, quickly turning away before I could see his expression more clearly.

Kingsley began pointing out brooms to different people, and I turned around to face Mrs. Weasley and Ginny.

"I suppose we'll see you soon, then." I smiled.

"Yes!" Mrs. Weasley stepped forwards, "Do be safe, Ava dear. Keep an eye on Harry too- I know you will."

"Of course," I nodded, "I'll make sure Fred and George don't get up to any mischief either."

Suddenly, before I could say anything else, Mrs. Weasley squeezed me into a warm hug. I hugged her back quickly, sensing that Kingsley and Mad Eye were about to tell me to leave.

To my surprise, Ginny hugged me as well, whispering in my ear, "Bring Harry back safely."

"I will try my best."

"Ava!" Kingsley called, "It's time to leave."

I pulled away from Ginny and Mad Eye gestured towards one of the Thestrals, "I believe you've never ridden a broom before. Is that correct?"

I nodded quickly and walked over to the Thestral. They were strange creatures- they didn't look attractive at all, yet there was a haunting beauty about them.

Fred smiled, "You ready?"

He helped me onto the Thestral and climbed on in front of me. I wrapped my arms around his waist, trying to ignore the shiver that ran down my spine when my hand brushed his bare skin.

"Try and stay close together, and get to Privet Drive as quickly as you can." Mad Eye muttered.

We all nodded and people began to disappear as they cast Disillusionment Charms.

I turned to wave at Ginny and Mrs. Weasley one more time before we too disappeared out of sight and the Thestral's wings began to flap.

Fred pulled on the reins, directing the Thestral as best he could into the air. My stomach dropped as we rocketed upwards, leaving the Burrow behind.

Around us, the sky was an inky black, the stars twinkling more brightly than I had ever seen them before.

We reached a steady height, and my stomach settled slightly.

"Can anyone see us?" I spoke softly in Fred's ear.

He kept his hands on the reins as he turned to face me, shaking his head wordlessly.

And then he kissed me, softly and sweetly, causing my eyes to flutter shut and my grip on him to tighten slightly.

He smiled against my lips, "I didn't think that I would have the chance to do that once we left home."

"Thank goodness you did." I whispered.

Fred turned to face the front again, and I rested my chin on his shoulder. Glancing up at the stars, I smiled to myself, letting the wind blow my hair out of my face.