𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦 | ✔︎

Chapter 76

It was now nearing the end of April, and Natasha was finally allowing herself to be fearful. Tonks had just given birth to a healthy boy they had named Teddy after her father, who had just passed away, and Grace was nearing her due date, as Death Eaters began popping up right outside their home.

Natasha had packed bags for them all in case of an urgent escape, and Sirius and Aurelia had moved in after Death Eaters were caught watching their house. They all knew an end was coming near, after Aurelia saw a vision, depicting only Hogwarts and terror.

Though summer was nearing its ascent, the skies were constantly clouded and dark, as dementors travelled through towns and cities, searching for the golden trio, who were now classed as fugitives everywhere. George and Fred had closed to shop for a few weeks, as no one roamed the streets of Diagon Alley anymore, and it had turned into a refuge for any muggle-born witches and wizards, which included a one Felicity Pearce, and her little sister, Ashley, who was now only skin and bone.

Natasha, Regulus and Fred had been in the shop the day Felicity and Ashley had arrived, as Natasha had brought provisions along, and had wished to take Regulus somewhere, even if it was just the place where his father worked.

He was crawling around on the floor, when a hurried knock had come from the door, and Natasha had scooped him into her arms, readying her wand before opening the door. "Please, my sister and I need help! Our aunt Nellie told us to come here in a letter, she said you would help us," Ashley cried, the hood of her cloak soaked with mud and dirt.

Natasha eyed Ashley wearily, trying to remember how she knew the voice, before Felicity took of her own hood, grimacing at the sight of Regulus. "I know we never talked in school, but no one will feed us or help us, and our parents were murdered last year."

Natasha moved Regulus to her other hip, before sighing and ushering the two witches in, checking the street before shutting the door. "I think I know the Nellie you speak of, why aren't you with her?" she asked, setting Regulus down on the counter.

"She fled with her family to Japan before the apparating laws came into place for muggle-borns, and our parents were still alive at the time. She wanted to take us with her, but our father refused, believing if we simply just hid, we would survive," Felicity answered, shrugging her cloak off.

Fred came downstairs to see what the commotion was and stopped himself from making a smart remark as he noticed who had arrived. "Felicity. Long time, no see," he commented, picking Regulus up from the counter.

"Fred. I see your son is here now," she said through gritted teeth, earning a confused look from Ashley.

"That's correct. This is my son, Regulus Orion Black Weasley," he introduced, bending down slightly so that Ashley could see better. Felicity's teeth were now grinding, as Natasha took Regulus from Fred, smiling sweetly at Felicity.

"Come, this way. We have some food upstairs for the both of you, and then we can discuss your dwellings," she said, motioning for the sisters to follow her upstairs. Ashely stayed close to Fred, nervous from having been on the run for so long, and he placed a hand on her shoulder comfortingly, guiding her up.

"Should you wish to join, we are growing small groups of fighters should a situation arise," he said to Felicity, holding the door open for everyone.

"And what about Ashley? She is too young to fight," Felicity said gruffly, taking a seat on the dining table. George walked out from his room to greet his guests, and bit his tongue as he saw Felicity, not forgetting how sour she had been to him in school.

"Ashley can stay with our good friend Tonks, who recently gave birth. My nephew will be with her too, as well as some other young witches and wizards who cannot fight yet," he answered, waving to Ashley before grabbing some food from the pantry.

Ashley smiled up at Felicity, as Natasha brought some towels and toiletries over, pointing to the room she and Fred once shared. "Think over this decision with a shower, there's a bathroom in that room, as well as clean clothes," she said, hugging Regulus to her chest.

Felicity walked into the bathroom first, unable to handle looking at Regulus, and she stripped of angrily, her jaw clenched. Ever since she had met Fred, she had felt a connection between them, but he had never reciprocated it, always in the clutches of Natasha.

Felicity had professed her love to Fred in many unsent letters, trying her hardest to find ways to get Natasha out of the picture, but now that Natasha was his wife and mother of his child, she knew, deep down in her heart, that Fred Weasley would never fall for her.

The hot water scalded her skin as she cried in the shower, her wails overpowered by the sounds of laughter just metres away outside of the room, as Ashley entertained Regulus. Only Natasha could faintly hear her cries, but Natasha's hearing was not hearing Felicity's cries of today.

She was hearing Felicity's cries of next week, as a weird feeling hit her.

Natasha doubled over, as a blinding pain shot through her stomach, Regulus still in her arms. He didn't cry, as his seer abilities were still a long way from developing, but he began to squirm, as Natasha fell to her knees.

"Nat!" Fred called out, and he rushed to catch both his wife and son.

"Arresto momentum!" Angelina chanted, and immediately, the falling rate of Natasha slowed, giving Fred enough time to pluck Regulus from her arms, and for George to catch Natasha.

"Hey, hey, Nat?" he said worriedly, looking up to his twin brother who was now handing Regulus to Ashley, before rushing to George and Natasha. She looked up, nodding as no words escaped her pursed lips, using George to help herself up.

"Freddie, something's coming. Less than a week away is my guess, but something is coming. All I could hear was Felicity crying, but it was distant, before that pain came to my stomach again, like the Triwizard Tournament," she breathed, continuing to clutch her stomach.

Angelina led Ashley out of the room to where she and Felicity were to stay for the night, and took Regulus from the girl's arms, making sure he was still content. Fred and George on the other hand helped Natasha to a seat, where Fred circled her in his arms, kissing her head every few seconds.

"No doubt your mother has also seen something love, do you want to visit her?" he asked quietly, his voice barely a whisper. She nodded, and Fred once again took Regulus from Angelina, silently conversing with his twin with only his eyes. George nodded, and hugged Natasha once more, fumbling with the coin in his pocket Harry had given all DA members what felt like a lifetime ago.

Natasha smiled weakly at George, understanding the silent conversation between the two brothers, before she and Fred apparated to their home, where a familiar scene with Sirius and Aurelia lay her, Aurelia's body slumped unconsciously against Sirius on the couch.

Fred looked alarmed at first, but Sirius upon seeing their arrival nodded slightly, as if to confirm to Fred that Aurelia was alright. "Sometimes when a vision gets to be too much, she'll pass out. A few times over the years she has passed out, and the best advice we ever received for it was just to let her rest, before making her a steaming cup of tea," Sirius said quietly, stroking Aurelia's hair.

"Come, let Natasha recover in the kitchen. I've got the kettle boiling, and news to inform you of."

A/N: I know I don't normally do these, but there's about ten chapters left (🥺), and the comments you guys have left have been gorgeous! Thank you for brightening my mornings when I open up Wattpad to your kind words, it really does help bring light to quite a dark period of time.