Chapter One Hundred Thirty-Three
Collected Life Debts
I'm setting fire to the life that I know
Let's start a fire everywhere that we go
We starting fires, we starting fires
'Til our lives are burning gold
(Burning Gold - Christina Perri)September 21st, 1998The residents of number twelve arrived at the Burrow in small groups. Harry and
Ron took Teddy with them through the Floo, while Tonks met up with Draco, Narcissa,
and Andromeda to Side-Along-Apparate. Since the Malfoys and Weasleys had never been
close even before ending up on opposite sides of a war, it seemed like a good idea to not have
them pop out unannounced from the fireplace.
Mia took a breath before clutching Sirius's arm with one hand and Remus's with the
other. They Disapparated away from London, arriving at the Burrow a few moments later.
The sight of the old, crooked house nearly brought tears to her eyes. Mia controlled
herself and swallowed down her emotions. The anticipation was almost overwhelming.
Not only of seeing her old friends from Hogwarts but Arthur and Kingsley as well, who
had been Mia's friends from the Ministry and Order before she'd gone missing. It was the
latter two whom she was most worried about seeing again.
They walked toward the Burrow, and she noted that a small marquee had been set
up outside, most likely surrounded by a Warming Charm to fight off the biting September
chill. As they approached, Mia released her grip on the wizards, the smell of Molly
Weasley's cooking pulling her toward the large tent. Even from a distance, she could see
them all gathered together inside.
Bill was hovering next to Fleur protectively as she carried trays to the large table
alongside her mother-in-law, shooing her husband away with a fierce glare. Charlie, still
home from the Dragon Reserve to help with the reconstruction of Hogwarts, was in a
corner pouring firewhisky into glasses with Fred and George. Ginny was holding Teddy in
her arms with Harry sitting beside her, all smiles, while Ron walked around the tent beside