Confident | Fred Weasley

Chapter 55 | Illusion

The first part of February for Sarah was vigorous Quidditch Training. Angelina had them on the pitch at all hours, practicing until their limbs were sore and heads were pounding.

Sarah trudged in the Common room from practice, massaging her hand. Fred caught sight of her, and patted the seat beside him. Also present were Lee and George, who were preoccupied with looking over WWW plans.

"What happened to you?" Fred asked, as Sarah slumped into a seat beside him.

Sarah still massaging her hand, replied, "I've been holding my bat too long. My hand is killing me!"

Fred shot her a sympathetic smile, as George (who had finally got his nose out of his plans) snickered at Sarah's expense.

"You should get some Keepers gloves, they stop you from holding the bat too tight," Fred explained, taking Sarah's hand.

As he inspected the slight bruising, Sarah asked, "Where do I get those?"

Fred glanced back at her, a brow raised in thought, "Hogsmeade? I'm pretty sure there's a Quidditch shop there. Although, they might just sell team merchandise. George, what's that shop - "

Sarah drowned Fred's voice out as her head throbbed. She couldn't recall the last time she'd had a full nights sleep, with the stress of school and other things keeping her up.

Fred must've noticed Sarah zoning out, as he gave her nudge.

"You okay?" Fred asked sincerely.

Sarah took a deep breath, as the noise of the Common room melted back in. Her head throbbed painfully again.

"Got a headache, and I'm tired," Sarah replied bluntly, running her hand over her face.

"Go to bed, then," George called.

"It's like eight," Sarah stated, after glancing at Fred's watch.

"And?"

"Well, going to bed before nine is just wrong. Besides, I won't fall asleep till one in the morning," Sarah replied with a shrug.

Fred shot her a look at this. It was slightly smug, Sarah guessed by the curve of his mouth. Deep down, Sarah knew Fred got a kick out of the knowledge that Sarah couldn't sleep without him.

Sarah wasn't quite sure whether she should be annoyed about this, or pleased.

Sarah pushed the thought to the back of her mind, as another wave of pain hit. Her limbs were aching, her hands and sides were bruised from bludger impact, and her head was fuzzy.

She realised alarmingly, that she was getting ill.

"Actually, you know what, I think I will go to bed," Sarah said suddenly, causing the boys to look at her with confusion.

"But I thought you just said - " George began, squinting at her.

Sarah shook her head, "No. You're right. I'm tired! I need to sleep."

Fred reached out to her, but Sarah was already around the other side of the sofa, "Wait! Are you -"

Sarah had already wandered away, heavy legs taking her up the stairs.

Once she'd disappeared behind the door of the Girls Dormitory, Fred turned to Lee and George.

"She acting odd to you?" Fred asked the pair.

The two nodded enthusiastically.

Sarah spent the night tossing and turning. Being under the duvet made her blisteringly hot, whilst kicking it to the end of the bed made her frighteningly chilly. Her head was still pounding, which didn't help with the lack of sleep she was getting. Every sleeping position seemed to anger one of her many injuries. The night couldn't possibly get worse, and Sarah found herself glaring at the clock on her nightstand, willing it to go faster so the torturous night would be over.