𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦 | ✔︎

Chapter 56

When the students of Hogwarts finally went back to the grounds, the shop began to quieten, though that didn't mean people weren't visiting still. Seventh years sneaking out with their boyfriends or girlfriends wound up in there after nearly getting caught by Ministry officials.

But as much happiness as the shop brought, the gloom of the rest of Diagon Alley dampened even the cheeriest of folks. Natasha and Adrian made it their duty to check on the elderly shop owners every night, helping place protective spells up to keep their shops safe.

But not everyone was so lucky.

Each day, more and more shops were shutting down, their windows smashed in and screaming families begging for their lives. Some were fortunate that others arrived to help, but those that were muggle-born living even right in the centre of the streets were found dead by morning, their faces plastered with an everlasting fear.

Tonks' theory about the Ministry desperately needing aurors was also correct, as many of the tests hopeful aurors normally went through were scrapped, now only a look at school records necessary.

Adrian and Natasha were under the woman's guidance, stationed in Diagon Alley because of it being their primary residence.

It only made protecting the streets even more important to them.

Grace and her fiancé Barnaby were also stationed in Diagon Alley and spent many a night having dinner with the residents of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes as the weather began to decline.

Cloaks were now in full spring, even though it was just October. Molly was sending over knitted blankets to help deck out the flat, and Angelina's mother had stopped by a few times delivering baked goods.

"Hey baby? Have you seen my tie?" Fred asked on a particularly cold morning, his head buried in the hamper in their bedroom. His bright orange suit was lying on their bed, but he always losed his ties, never managing to find them.

"Freddie, I love you lots, but for the four hundredth time this year, it's on the front door, so that you can pick it up on your way downstairs," Natasha groaned, sticking her head out of their bathroom. Her hair was damp from her shower, for once drying naturally by her shoulders.

"Well George steals it sometimes, and I get side-tracked thinking of the love of my life who just happens to be showering every time I get dressed in the morning. It's not my fault you're so beautiful," he blushed, and Natasha stepped out with her towel wrapped around her tightly, bringing him into a deep kiss.

"Well, I could start showering with you at night," Natasha whispered, nibbling Fred's ear. Fred's face turned crimson red as he tried his hardest to get changed, but Natasha wasn't having it, working her way down to his neck.

"I-uh-I yes that would be, oh Godric, yes, that would be fantastic," Fred stuttered, his eyes widening as Natasha continued to make her way down Fred's body. "No-no Natasha I have to go and work," he tried saying, and finally, just as she reached his boxers, she stood up, smirking.

"Fred, I'm ready. And I want to do something tonight along the lines of that whilst everyone else goes out tonight. Adrian has said he will be staying at Oliver's and George and Angelina are at Angelina's parents' house tonight."

Fred instantly pulled his fiancée in for a kiss, hungrily attacking her lips. "I'm ready too Nat. And I agree, we should do something tonight along the lines of that. So, I propose a date tonight, 8 o'clock, just after the shop closes. I can get ready in George's room, you can get ready in here, and I'll cook something amazing, maybe helped by my mum."

Natasha smiled at Fred's proposal and pecked his lips once more. "I'll be there Freddie. Now, run along, we don't need Adrian and George thinking of names for our children just yet," Natasha grinned, and Fred quickly changed, picking his tie up on the way from the door handle.