The feeling of dread had set in Florence's head as she awoke the next day, instantly remembering that she had to actually come out of her room and face the world, otherwise Scrimgeour would give away her slot to other people. She wasn't going to lose that opportunity.

It did not take her awhile to get ready, throwing on the first thing she saw in her closet before fixing up her hair. She took one hard look at herself in the mirror. She definitely looked like a mess.

She unlocked her bedroom door, yanking it open ever so carelessly, not anticipating a certain redhead to be leaning against it on the other side.

Fred came toppling into her room on his back, the shock of the fall startling him slightly, but even more when he looked up and saw Florence in the flesh for what seemed to be the first time in weeks.

"Hey." was all he could say, as he quickly collected himself off of the floor, "Are you going somewhere?"

"Yeah," she replied, not bothering to look at him as she did so, "I won't be long."

"Wait," Fred said immediately, "Honestly, you've been in there for weeks and that's all you have to say? I've missed you, love. I expected you to interact with me a little bit more."

She paused in her tracks, swiveling around, "What do you want me to say, then?" she shot back, the hopeful look on Fred's face faltering as he saw the emptiness in her eyes. Her once brilliant, bright personality was dulled by her unbearable grief.

"I just want to know how you're feeling."

"Horrible. Nothing's changed. Now if you don't mind, I need to get going." she replied curtly, before running down the stairs, past the living room where Sloan had been with both Remus and Julien, and out the door without a single word.

Sloan frowned as he heard the door shut, looking up at where Fred had been standing, "What happened? I thought she'd atleast be a little glad to see you."

"I thought so too," he huffed, coming down the stairs to join the group, "If only she'd open up, you know? It's not good that she's bottling up everything. I'm here for her, we all are. I wish she'd realize that."

"If there's one thing I know she inherited from both Jane and Gabriel, it's their stubbornness." Sloan said, "Deep down she knows that she needs you, but she's just too stubborn to give in to that."

"I'm worried she'll be cold," Fred admitted, "I've never seen her like that, ever."

"Grief can do the worst to even the happiest person." Remus said, "Just give her time, Fred. I'm sure she will come to her senses. Just continue showing her that you're there for her."

"I don't plan on quitting any time soon," he replied, "I love her."

This made Sloan smile slightly, "That's the type of love she needs right now. Unconditional love."

———————

Florence had only been inside the Ministry of Magic a handful of times, most of them spent waiting in boredom inside her mother's office, or, what was once her mother's office.

It was as if her feet couldn't help itself, as she found herself walking to the direction of her mum's office, wondering if they had already cleared it out. She wanted to see it, what was left, how she had left it. She knew that her mum was at work when she had asked Emmy to send the letter.

Maybe she shouldn't have bothered.

If she hadn't, her mother would be in her office for the rest of the night, away from the whole Order ordeal, away from dangerous Death Eaters. But then Harry and the rest wouldn't have had the reinforcements that they needed. They wouldn't have gotten out of there alive.

Maybe if Harry didn't go all hysterical about Sirius getting captured. Maybe if he had listened, her mum would still be alive.

She tried pushing down the feeling of resentment several times, but there were always moments when her emotions would get her too carried away, and she would end up blaming Harry. For his rash decisions and his stubbornness.

Florence shook the thought away, as she found herself nearing her mother's office.

Her breath hitched slightly, looking through the glass pane to see that everything was untouched. Clutching the doorknob, she twisted it carefully, allowing herself in when she saw that it was unlocked.

The first thing that caught her eye was her mum's work bag, resting on her desk, it's flap hanging open with a few stray papers sticking out from a couple of folders. She kept framed photographs of a young Florence on her desk, and as well as a copy of her family portrait. She had seen a similar one from the photos in her aunt Marlene's box, but in the one she had, everyone was pulling funny faces.

Florence could feel tears welling up in her eyes, picking up her mum's handkerchief that was on her desk, clutching it tightly to her chest. It still smelled like her; the pleasant, flowery scent that she had worn over the years.

"Why did you leave me, mum? How am I going to do this without you?" she whispered, a tear gliding down her cheek as she squeezed the handkerchief tighter, as if her life depended on it.

A sharp knock startled her, Florence immediately wiping her eyes before turning around to see who it was.

"Flo?" A familiar blond boy asked, concern written on his face, "I just came to sign some papers before I start in a few weeks when I saw you. Are you okay? What are you doing here?"

"Oh, Xander," she sniffled, striding across the office and throwing her arms around him, crying into his chest as she finally gave in to the grief, "Xander. I miss her so much. I don't know what to do."

He propped his chin on her head, hugging his best friend tight, not at all caring that she was getting tear stains and snot all over his dress shirt before he had to see his boss.

"There, there," he whispered, gently rubbing her back as she continued to sob, "Florence I'm so sorry this happened to you. Your mother, she was the nicest person ever. I'm so sorry."

"I," she began, before letting out another sob, "I just don't know if I can do this without her."

"Hey," Alexander said, pulling her away from him slightly to look her in the eye. He brushed away a couple stray hair that was in her face, before using his thumb to brush away the remaining tears, "You can do this, Florence. You can. Your mum would want you to. She wouldn't want you crying over her and wasting your life away like this."

"I know it must hurt right now, but someday. Not soon, but someday, with time, it will get better. You just have to pick yourself up and get yourself out of this funk. And remember, you're not alone. I'm here for you, Nic is, Fred, George, your uncles. We're here for you, okay? But you got to try, Florence. It's hard, but you have to try."

"You're right," Florence sniffled, "That's why I'm here. I'm gonna start my Auror training, and keep moving forward in life."

Xander offered her a small smile, "That's the Florence we all know and love. Now go, I'm pretty sure I overheard someone say that Scrimgeour is leaving early for the day. Better catch him while you still can."

She nodded, planting a small kiss on Xander's cheek, "I don't know what I'd do without you."

The Auror's office was very hard to find, primarily because only a few people had ever been to it, as it was inaccessible to a lot of workers, which resulted to nobody quite knowing where it is. It took her quite awhile to get definite directions, Florence sprinting to Scrimgeour's office as soon as she did so.

She knocked, the door opening for her almost immediately.

Florence peered inside, seeing Scrimgeour at his desk, scribbling away on some piece of parchment paper. He looked up, seeing her in the threshold, smiling slightly, "Ah, Miss Price. I was expecting you. Although not this early... Condolences, by the way, about your mother. She was a great woman."

"Thank you for your sympathy," she mumbled, "Sloan told me that I had to see you to confirm if I wanted my slot or not. I do. I still do."

"I knew that would be your answer." he said, "Please, do take a seat." He gestured to the seats infront of his desk, Florence doing as he said in a heartbeat.

"You know, Miss Price, the Auror's mandate is to protect the wizarding world from the dangers of those who use magic for all the wrong reasons. You, are the perfect addition to the Force. Do you know why?"

"No."

"Because loss is such a powerful emotion. Grief brings out the best versions of ourselves."

"Grief brings out anger and resentment," Florence corrected, "Why do you say that negative emotions make us the best version of ourselves when it can only corrupt us?"

"Anger and resentment, when utilized properly, can be your strongest weapon in this line of work, Miss Price. Death Eaters killed both of your parents. Gabriel many years ago, and then Jane. Surely you'd want to avenge them"

Scrimgeour put down his quill, before clasping his hands together, "I'm sorry if it seems like I am glorifying negative emotions, but only the thick skinned and the determined ones make it in this field. And we are in the midst of a war, Miss Price. If it gets worse we will be forced to deploy even those still in training. You might find yourself fighting a battle unprepared."

This made her frown, "Why are you telling me this? Are you making me want to change my mind?"

"No, I am simply making sure that you are ready for it. This job requires your undivided devotion."

"I am ready for that." she said, "Ofcourse I am."

"Okay," Scrimgeour said, "I mean, if you're anything like your mum or dad...or your uncle, then you're one tough cookie." He reached down to open one of his desk draws, pulling out a shiny rectangular pin and placing it infront of Florence.

"This was your dad's, and I want you to wear it." He said, "Welcome to the force, Miss Price."

///////
a.n: Y'ALLLL A CHARLIE WEASLEY FIC IS IN THE WORKSSSS I'LL BE PUTTING IT UP IN A FEW DAYS. His love interest is our one and only Adrianna Haddlowe *wink* *wink*

-Denise