𝘋𝘈𝘕𝘊𝘐𝘕𝘎 𝘞𝘐𝘛𝘏 𝘖𝘜𝘙 𝘏𝘈𝘕𝘋𝘚 𝘛𝘐𝘌𝘋/𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 (English version)

Chapter 78

The next morning, Sarah woke slowly, her eyes still heavy from all the tears she had shed the day before, and her mind clouded.
She had slept deeply, collapsing under a weariness that wasn't just physical.

The room was silent, bathed in the milky light of dawn. The sheets were twisted around her, and her breathing, for once, was calm.
Tom had put her to bed after making sure she was okay, but he hadn't stayed with her.
He had left the room quietly, heading back to the others.
But she hadn't been able to wait for him, sleep had enveloped her before she could even ask him why.

She rubbed her eyes and sat up.
Her gaze wandered around the room, until it landed on the floor next to the bed, where she noticed a small backpack, unzipped. Inside were a few of her things: a spare sweatshirt, a sandwich carefully wrapped in layers of tissues... and her diary.
She stared at it, confused, she had absolutely no memory of putting it there.

Then she heard the door open.
"Oh, you're awake."
Tom's voice was low, even though it wasn't late. He was holding a steaming mug.
He came closer and offered it to her.
Sarah took it without a word, it was hot milk, almost boiling. She blew on it gently and took a sip.

"Why is my diary in there?" The girl asked then, nodding toward the backpack.

Tom followed her gaze, then looked back at her. His eyes, for a moment, grew serious.
"They've left."

Sarah stared at him, her heart giving a small jolt. "Who?"

"Harry, Hermione, and Ron. They left this morning, before dawn."

She set the mug on the bedside table to avoid spilling the milk on the clean sheets.
"And you? Why didn't you go with them? Tom, you could've been crucial for the mission."

He shook his head, calm, but firm.
"And leave you here alone? No, thanks. They know what they're doing, and they're together. They'll manage. And I have something more important to do: stay and take care of you."

His hand moved, found hers, and held it tightly, with strength and tenderness.
Sarah's heart flipped. Her cheeks flushed red, and she made no attempt to hide it.

Tom chuckled softly, pleased that he could still make her feel that way.
"Besides," he added, tilting his head slightly, "we have a little trip to take, the two of us."

"What do you mean?" she asked, intrigued.

Tom stood from the edge of the bed and held out his hand.
"I think it's time we pay Aberforth a visit. They were all really worried about you before Draco and I left. A visit might do everyone some good. Them, and you."

Sarah's face lit up. She grabbed his face in both hands, pulling him toward her and kissing him repeatedly, on the cheeks, lips, nose.
"Tom! Oh my God, that would be amazing."

He let her kiss him, laughing quietly. That was all it took, seeing her smile again, to make him feel better.
"Do you have any idea how hard it was to convince Bill to let us leave Shell Cottage?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sarah made an amused face.
"For Aberforth? Anything."

Tom pretended to look exasperated but took her hand.
"Then get moving, Black. We've got a Resistance to reassure."

Sarah didn't need to be told twice.
She dressed quickly: jeans, comfortable shoes, and an oversized sweatshirt that had once belonged to Bill. She grabbed the backpack and checked it: the diary, her wand, something to eat. Everything was there. Tom had thought of every detail, more than he'd admit.

As they left Shell Cottage, Fleur gave them a silent nod. Her eyes were tired, ringed with dark circles, but kind. She didn't ask questions.
She had seen and heard enough the night before.