A/N-

Well! Would you look at this? I'm finally posting a chapter after five months of waiting! Sorry, it was all GCSE exams and then summer and holidays and being with friends and volunteering and now I'm just started my A-Levels! It's been rather hectic, but I felt like updating. I hope that this chapter is adequate... I feel Like it isn't worth the five month wait, but there are much more exciting chapters to come and this is one of the less exciting ones... I'm sorry about that.

Anyway, I hope that you all enjoy! Thank you all so much if you've waited for me to update. Enjoy! :)

Chapter 6 (Ava)

Arrangements for the wedding continued, and with every passing day, everyone in the Burrow was becoming more and more stressed by the event. The Delacours had come to stay as well, so there were even more people than usual to worry about. Luckily for Mrs. Weasley, they were willing to help with just about everything.

The arrival of Harry's birthday was a relief to most of us, as it gave some of us a bit of a break from having to sort out the house and prepare decorations.

Unfortunately, I hadn't had the time to get something really meaningful for Harry for his birthday- when a wizard turned seventeen, it was a very important birthday. I had tried to really think about it, and the fact that he was going away soon and wouldn't see me for a while... if ever again.

After much deliberation, I wrapped up the photograph of our parents having a snowball fight that he had originally given me. He needed a reminder of them because they were so important to both of us and why we were fighting.

I walked down into the kitchen on the morning of his birthday, pulling my tangled hair into a ponytail so that it was out of my face, and placing my gift on top of the pile.

Fred was sitting on an armchair which had sunken down slightly, and as I walked past him to sit on a chair at the table, he pulled my wrist down so that I landed with a thud beside him.

"Good morning, Miss. Potter," Fred grinned at me, his eyes tracing my lips. I shoved his face away and turned to look at my brother.

"Happy birthday, Harry!"

He grinned and thanked me, reaching over for the pile of presents to open them. He went through them fairly quickly, smiling and thanking everyone in the room. When he opened mine, however, he stared at it in silence.

"Ava, you shouldn't have-"

I pushed myself off of the chair (ignoring Fred's groan as I shoved his leg further into the chair by accident) and walked up to Harry.

"You need it more than me, Harry. I have plenty that Remus and Sirius gave me over the past couple of years."

He said nothing else, just stood up and hugged me tightly. I closed my eyes, burying my face into his shoulder and inhaling deeply the smell of my brother that I would not smell for many months.

"I'm going to miss you," He whispered in my ear softly so only I could hear.

"You probably won't have time to miss me," I tried to smile, "But do spare a thought for your old sister every now and then."

"Fred and George are really rubbing off on you," Harry chuckled as he pulled away.

I shivered, "How horrific."

Fleur's family had begun to enter the kitchen, making it far too busy to move, so I left with Fred and George behind me. We called out to Mrs. Weasley that we were going to get the garden ready for Harry's party and hurried out as quickly as he could, pulling our wands out of our pockets and beginning with the decorations.

* * *

I ducked out of my room, brushing off my jeans one final time before rushing downstairs where all of the guests were arriving.

I had spent the whole day with Fred and George, arranging decorations for the garden and setting out the tables so that there were enough seats for everybody.

I dashed downstairs, smiling when I spotted Hagrid making his way out into the garden.

"You alright, Ava?" Hagrid smiled, and I nodded quickly, starting to talk to him when I caught sight of Remus behind him, looking rather unhappy.

"I'll be with you in a bit, Hagrid. Sorry, I just need to-"

I weaved my way through the crowd towards Remus and Tonks, who was grinning so much she appeared to be positively glowing. Remus did not share the same expression.

"Ava!" Tonks threw her arms around me and I hugged her quickly.

"If you make your way outside Tonks, I'll come and sit with you in a minute!" I smiled, and she nodded, walking out with everybody else.

I turned to look at Remus, my smile sliding off of my face. He looked miserable.

"Goodness, Remus," I whispered, trying to catch his eye, "What on earth is the matter? You look-"

He cut me off instantly, "Nothing, Ava. I don't know what you're talking about-"

"Hey," I grabbed onto his arm and pulled him onto the staircase so that we weren't in the way of everybody else, "You made me promise to tell you when something's bothering me, and there is clearly something bothering you, Remus. I care about you, and I want to make sure that you're okay. I didn't see you for a year, and now that I'm back here I need to know that everything is fine."

"Ava," Remus started reluctantly with a gulp, "You really shouldn't worry about me-"

"Why?" I muttered, "You worry about me all the time, shouldn't it be my turn?"

Remus stared at me in silence for a moment, "You're just like James and Sirius- did you know that? They used to worry about me all the time, even when they had issues of their own to deal with."

I gulped, hesitating for a moment, "I'm sure they'd probably want me worrying about you, otherwise no one else would."

Remus shook his head with a sigh, "It's Tonks. She-"

"Oi, you two- we're waiting in the garden you know!" Ron shouted from the back door, and Remus nodded, quickly stepping down the staircase and into the garden.

I stared after him in silence, leaning against the banister.

"You alright, Ava?" George asked as he and Fred walked through the front door and towards the garden.

"Of course," I smiled at them both, following them out towards the tables.

"It's weird having everyone here like this," Fred muttered quietly, staring out at the table, "It isn't quite right... is it? Considering everything else that's going on?"

I started to reply, but suddenly a patronus came streaking across the garden and stopped in front of Mrs. Weasley. It was only when the silver weasel began to speak in Mr. Weasley's voice that I noticed he wasn't in the garden with us.

"Minister for Magic coming with me."

Remus stood up, casting an apologetic look at Harry as he muttered, "We shouldn't be here. Harry- I'm sorry- I'll explain another time-"

He grabbed onto Tonks' arm and they leaped over the fence out of sight. I frowned after him in confusion, but didn't have time to ask questions- Mr. Weasley and Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister for Magic, had arrived.

Everyone was silent around the table, and I stood at the end of it with Fred and George, sharing a questioning glance with the two of them.

"Sorry to intrude," The Minister offered a small smile which didn't look sincere, "Especially as I can see that I am gatecrashing a party. Many happy returns."

Harry shifted uncomfortably, "Thanks."

"I require a private word with you. Also with Mr Ronald Weasley and Miss Hermione Granger," The Minister stated, causing Ron to choke on his drink.

"Us?" He spluttered, "Why us?"

The minister's face didn't reveal anything as he spoke, "I shall tell you that when we are somewhere more private. Is there such a place?" He finished, turning to Mr. Weasley.

Mr. Weasley quickly showed him the sitting room and watched in silence as the three left with the Minister.

I sat down at the empty end of the table with Fred and George, although no one began to eat. My thoughts were elsewhere... I wanted to know that Remus was okay. I wanted to protect him in some way, and I knew the best method to do it. I wanted to join the Order- but I doubt Remus was going to let me. I sighed, reluctantly pushing the thought aside.

We waited for some time, and when the trio returned they looked rather irritated and holding an object each.

Harry, Ron and Hermione passed the objects around, looking more relaxed once Scrimgeour had left. The three objects were those that Dumbledore had left to them in his will, but the one that intrigued me the most was the snitch.

Perhaps it was because I had never seen a snitch up close before, or because it was a rather peculiar thing to leave behind. I turned it over in my hands, wondering if there was more to it than there seemed.

"Harry, dear, everyone's awfully hungry, we didn't like to start without you... shall I serve dinner now?" Mrs. Weasley asked nervously, looking relieved when Harry nodded.

We all ate quite quickly, the party atmosphere appearing to have left the garden. We sang 'Happy Birthday' and ate some of the beautiful snitch cake that Mrs. Weasley had prepared before breaking up to get ready for bed.

Fred was telling me as we made our way upstairs about a snitch that he and George charmed in third year to follow Professor Snape around when I suddenly turned around.

"Fred, why can't I be a part of the Order?"

He frowned for a moment in confusion, before shaking his head, "Ava- you know why. Remus would never let you."

My thoughts flickered to Remus and Tonks leaping over the fence, and the secret that he wouldn't tell me.

"But Remus is one of the people that I want to fight for. Along with you and George and Harry and... so many others. Why can't I fight for what's good?"

Fred looked conflicted, and I realised after a short moment that Remus had probably already spoken to him about this.

"My parents fought," I told him, "And so did Remus and Sirius when they were my age. Why can't I do it too? I know he wants to protect me, especially after last year... but if I want to do something good- isn't that okay?"

"Ava-" Fred couldn't help but smile, "You're so determined... I knew you'd ask me this sooner or later."

I rolled my eyes, "Of course I was going to ask this sooner or later! When Harry, Ron and Hermione are gone, I want to be able to do something for the Order as well. It's time for me to stop hiding and to fight against the Death Eaters!"

Fred's shoulders slumped in defeat, "I suppose I'll have to talk to Remus, will I?"

"I'll do it myself," I grinned, "I knew you would give in."

"I can't help it," Fred muttered, closing the distance between us as he brushed his lips against mine.

"You can't just shut me up with a kiss, you know," I whispered, and Fred laughed.

"Then why did you kiss me back?"

I leant into him just before I heard a voice behind me.

"Oi! We all use this staircase, you know!"

Fred and I broke apart, and I spun around to look at George, my cheeks burning.

He simply shook his head, "I doubt Remus will let you become a member of the Order if you're snogging Fred at every available opportunity that you get."

"Best if we don't tell him then."