Confident | Fred Weasley

Chapter 116 | Glorious

It had been ten days since Sarah returned home. They had been far from perfect, punctuated with bad, and then worse, news delivered by Lee on Potterwatch; muted conversations about rebellious plans that could never come into fruition, not unless they understood what Harry was up to. Yet, there was good in these days; the delicious spreads of food that Mrs Weasley cooked, the endless rounds of Exploding Snap, having something to focus her mind on once more.

The best thing, without a doubt, was Fred. Sarah indulged herself to every moment she could get with him, having been deprived of his presence for a month. His touches felt like electric shocks, and his kisses tasted like the sweetest, most expensive honey. Sarah had found herself becoming a bit poetic about him as of late, but she kept those thoughts to herself. Fred was already well aware, just by the look in her eyes. Her friends didn't need to know the sordid details either.

Other than that, Sarah occupied herself with scouring the textbooks Angelina had given her, readying herself for the impending date of Tonks' birth. That, and going on runs with Moose across the grassy acres of Wisteria Cottage. The end of April was bringing mild, sunny days, perfect condition to get her stamina back.

It was as she trudged back to the house, following an excited Moose, that Ginny came sprinting from the front door. Sarah, thinking deeply of the potions she would brew that afternoon, didn't notice until Ginny was a few paces away.

"Bloody hell," Sarah startled, coming to a sudden stop. "What's going on?"

Noting the palour of Ginny's skin, Sarah's stomach twisted with fear. What had happened to spook Ginny so badly? Was someone hurt? Had there been an attack?

Ahead, Moose finally noticed that Sarah had fallen back. With a fast patter of paws, he was back by her side in an instant, nudging her legs with his head.

Ginny, panting, said, "It's Tonks."

That was all Sarah needed. Despite the fact that her legs already ached, she raced towards the house, followed closely by Ginny and Moose. Sarah darted through the open door, met by Mrs Weasley.

"Is she okay?" Sarah asked, her breathing laboured.

"Fine, for now," Mrs Weasley assured, closing the door behind Ginny and Moose. "She's had three contractions now, about ten minutes apart."

"Early labour, then," Sarah said, thinking of her pages and pages of notes, "That's fine, then, isn't it? Mrs Weasley, there's a potion to ease contraction pain in the kitchen cabinet. Would you mind giving that to Tonks whilst I jump in the shower?"

"Of course, dear," Mrs Weasley said, and hurried off.

Sarah turned to Ginny, who was biting her lip. She reached out, giving Ginny's shoulder a squeeze.

"Don't look so worried, Gin," Sarah said, "Tonks'll be fine."

"We really ought to have some healers here," Ginny responded, shuffling uncertainly.

"I know," Sarah breathed, brushing a strand of hair away from her own face, "But it's too dangerous. I promise you, me and your Mum have got this handled."

Ginny nodded, and headed into the living room. Sarah climbed the stairs and strode into her bedroom, and past that to the ensuite bathroom. After a quick shower, Sarah crossed the hallway to Tonks' room, its door wide open.

Sarah peered into the room, noting Tonks laying on the bed, Remus pacing in the far corner and Mrs Weasley fussing with a teaset on the bedside table.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Sarah asked, crossing the room to sit on the duvet by Tonks' legs. Sarah reached out, taking one of Tonks' hands into her own.