Confident | Fred Weasley

Chapter 36 | Harry

Harry arrived several days later near dinnertime, although Sarah was alerted by the sound of Harry shouting from the floor below. She'd been in an avid tournament of Exploding Snap with George when the echo of Harry Potter's anger struck them.

"Blimey, what is he yelling about?" Fred called from the hallway where he'd been attempting to listen in on the Order meeting.

George glanced up from his deck of cards, "I'm surprised he hasn't woken up that painting of Sirius's mum."

Sarah laughed, "I'm surprised he hasn't woken up the entirety of Japan. Maybe we should check on him?"

Fred waved his hand dismissively, "I'm sure Ron and Hermione can handle it. Besides, we need to see who's the ultimate Exploding Snap player, don't we?"

George rolled his eyes at this, "Well, it's not you, is it?"

Sarah agreed as she placed a card, "Yeah, you lost to me and George. That must really knock an ego, huh?"

Fred stuck his tongue out at the pair, which made them giggle like children. After another moment, Fred straightened up from where he was leant on the half-wall beside the staircase.

"Actually, I'm quite interested to hear what Harry's shouting about," Fred admitted, reaching for his wand in his pocket.

"I'd rather not get yelled at by Harry, though. You know what they say, curiosity killed the cat," Sarah glanced up at Fred as he walked towards them.

"But satisfaction brought it back?" George offered, a grin appearing on his face.

Sarah considered his words for a moment, before nodding, "Okay, let's go."

The three apparated into Ron's room with a booming crack, causing Hermione to jump. Ron's owl, Pigwidgeon fluttered nervously around his cage.

"Will you stop that?" Hermione hissed at the three, who all laughed.

Stood beside Ron was Harry, wearing a worn-out, blue shirt and a pair of scuffed converse trainers. There was an odd, gaunt look to him, as if he hadn't been eating or sleeping healthily. Sarah struggled to hide her concern for him.

"Hello, Harry - " George began, a beam appearing on his face, " - We thought we heard your dulcet tones."

"You don't want to bottle your anger up like that. Let it all out. There might be a couple people 50 miles away that didn't hear you," Fred added, also beaming.

Harry sighed, "You three passed your Apparition tests, then?"

"With flying colours," Sarah replied, a sudden smile appearing on her face. She couldn't lie, the distinction on her Apparition licence did wonders to her ego.

Ron rolled his eyes, "It would've taken you 30 seconds to walk down the stairs."

Fred laughed, "Time is galleons, little brother! Anyways, Harry, you're messing with reception."

Ron's eyes widened, "You ought to be careful with that. You know Mum suspects us."

"It's worth the risk. That's a major meeting they're having," Fred informed Ron, which got Sarah's brain working.

"I thought it was. I guarantee you that every single Order member is downstairs, huh?" Sarah replied thoughtfully, taking a seat on one of the beds in the dingy room.

The conversation halted as Ginny walked in, "Oh, hello Harry! I thought I heard your voice."

Harry let out another sigh, as Ginny turned to Fred and George, "It's a no-go with the Extendable Ears. She's gone and put an imperturbable charm on the kitchen door."