11.22.2021- late update 11.23.2021-

I talked to some interesting characters throughout the evening, but as I saw Harry say his goodbye's I slipped away as well. I had heard a lot today, and I knew he had too.

We both tensed as cries echoed down the hall,

"Hello?" he called and I cringed, too many times did that not have a good response.

"Stay here, I'll be right back," I said and he gulped but nodded, I took out riptide, but waited until I was out of sight before uncapping it and quickly slicing through a black silvery cloud. It convulsed before spreading out like a thin cloud. I watched it slowly dissipate before caping riptide and turning to Molly, just as Remus burst through the doorway.

He eyed the pen in my hand, before going to comfort his friend. I quickly pulled Harry away, back to his room.

"Let's let them take care of this," I whispered as I steered him away from the scene.

"I-Is Mrs. Weasley going to be, okay?" He asked shakily and I frowned shaking my head,

"I won't lie to you Harry, I'm not like the other adults," I said, "This is a war. People are going to die. Good people. On both sides." His face paled and I placed a hand on his shoulder,

"Molly is just worried about her loved ones, we all are, that's why we protect what we hold dear," I said and Harry nodded, firmer now. I smiled sadly at him and released his shoulder, "Get some sleep, you have school tomorrow."

With Harry in his room, I headed back downstairs to meet with the rest of the adults,

"How is he?" Sirius asked, his gaze snapping to me as I made it down the last step. I sighed and waved my hand,

"I know that you think that by hiding the truth from him, you're protecting him, but it's going to come back to bite you,"

"That's what I've been saying!" Sirius said turning to Molly, but I shook my head,

"No. You want him here because you miss your best friend. I'm telling you that you need him here because he has a right to know what going on with his life. He's the one that it's about." I said causing Sirius to get up, but Lupin gripped his sleeve and pushed him back down, but I didn't let up, "Harry Potter is a strong wizard who has been forced to grow up way too fast, treating him like a child- treating any of these kids like children is not right."

Moody stood up, approaching me and glaring and tilting his head as he inspected me,

"You speak from experience, do you?" He asked and I nodded once,

"I do," I said firmly, he peered at me for a moment more before backing up and collecting his cane.

"I'm turning in for the night, and I suggest everyone here does too," He said gruffly, "It was nice to see you, Molly,"

"I should be heading out too," Tonks said grabbing her coat and saying her goodbyes. I smiled and headed back upstairs to check on the others. Stopping as I saw Fred and George on the stairs,

"Listening in again I see," I said, I had caught them a few times, but I never said anything, they straightened up, glancing back behind me,

"What do you mean?" Fred asked.

"The meetings over, go to bed." I laughed causing them to look at each other and smile,

"We like you," Goerge said, Fred nodding along, I laughed and shooed them away, stopping at Harry's and Ron's room first, peeking in slightly. Ron's gaze snapped to mine as I entered,

"What do you want?" He asked and I shrugged,

"Just checking on everyone," I said quietly approaching Harry's bed,

"How's my mum?" Ron asked

"Shaken but fine," I responded placing a cool hand on Harry's forehead.

"It should've been Harry who got this badge," he muttered and I looked over at him, and smiled slightly,

"If that were the case then why was it in your letter?" I asked gently settling down next to him,

"I don't know, but everyone thinks so," Ron muttered and I nudged his shoulder,

"Let them think that,"

"People only know me as Harry's best friend, the only reason they care about me is so they can get to Harry," Ron admitted I stayed silent letting him continue,

"He's famous, and I'm only 'one of the Weasley's I want to make my parents proud; I want to distinguish myself, but it seems whatever I do someone's always done it first!" He panted slouching over the badge. I reached over and took it from him, inspecting it.

"Wear it with pride," I whispered pinning it to his front, "Own the position, both the perks and the responsibilities." He looked at me shocked and I offered him a smile,

"You earned this badge, not Harry. He's your best mate, and whatever trouble he got into you stuck by him. Thick and thin, he didn't have a choice, you did." I said he looked at me confused and I drew up my sleeve, showing him my SPQR tattoo, he sucked in a breath, but shook his head.

"I'm a believer of the gods, in Ancient Rome they would burn this into their flesh, it means Senatus Populusque Romanus, 'the senate and the people of Rome',"

I translated running finger across the indented skin, "I hadn't spent much time there before I was given the position Praetor, which is a huge responsibility for a place that I don't even know very well." I tugged my sleeve back down, "You have the advantage, you know Hogwarts," I said standing up and looking at Ron,

"Think about that," I said, slipping out of the room and leaving Ron to his thoughts. Next, I went to the girl's room, the door was open so I just peeked in before moving on, I knew better than to go into a girl's room, I cringed at the thought.

I quietly made my rounds, making sure everyone was okay, and comfortable before settling down on the couch. It had been a long day.