Confident | Fred Weasley

Chapter 119 | The Battle

A/N: for the third time, I've messed up on publishing chapters. I don't know what's going on with me. This chapter now includes the lead up to the battle too. Enjoy!

Sarah shot up from her seat, the walkie-talkie still clutched in her head. Others around the table rose sharply, fidgeting with the anticipation of what Neville had just suggested.

"Okay," Sarah said, attempting to keep her voice even, "How do we get into Hogwarts?"

"Apparate directly into the Hogshead Pub," Neville answered, "Don't apparate onto the streets of Hogsmeade. There's a caterwauling charm-"

A torrent of noise came out the walkie-talkie, and Sarah winced, holding the object away from her. Neville's voice returned.

"-Everyone's getting impatient. I have to go," Neville said, "I'll send an alert on the DA galleons too."

With that, the walkie-talkie emitted some static, and Neville was gone.

"Ginny, how on earth did you get a walkie-talkie?" Mrs Weasley demanded, turning to her daughter, "Those are for the Order-"

"-Fred gave it to me!" Ginny cried, her ears tinged red.

Mrs Weasley twisted towards Fred. Sarah, recognising a brewing argument, cut in.

"Mrs Weasley, not now!" Sarah said sharply.

Mrs Weasley closed her mouth, looking astonished.

Sarah turned to Moody, "Instructions, please."

Moody rose, embodying the Head Auror that he once was, "Wands, cloaks, and protection gear. Gather everything you'll need for battle. We'll apparate to the Hogshead in small groups, so we don't overwhelm Aberforth with our number."

Sarah hadn't realised Dumbledore's brother manned the Hogshead Pub. It had also slipped her mind that Moody would have known him. Even now, in what could be hours until their glory or their deaths, Sarah was still learning.

"This is what we've been preparing for all these years. Once and for all, we will band together to aid Harry Potter in vanquishing the Dark Lord, and we'll take as many bastard Death Eaters with them!" Mad-eye finished fiercely.

The others at the table agreed heartedly, cheering and clapping.

"Good," Mad-eye said, "Now, go, go, go! We don't have time to dawdle."

Some of the others raced off to gather things they needed. Those who did not live here remained as they were already ready to go.

Sarah tossed the walkie-talkie to Bill, "Repeat Neville's Instructions and what not a couple of times. Hopefully, we can rally as many people as possible."

Bill gave her a salute, and began to speak into the receiver.

With that, Sarah raced out of the room. She ran upstairs, where she met Fred in their bedroom. He was digging through the wardrobe for a suitable jacket.

"Toss me one as well, won't you?" Sarah called as she pulled her trainers on and double-knotted the laces.

"Black or blue?" Fred called, his voice slightly muffled.

"Black."

"I'll match with you, then."

The pair shrugged on their black jackets. Sarah put on the enchanted earrings Fred had made for her, and he tightened his trusty watch on his wrist.

They stared at each other for a moment, eyes betraying their nerves. They approached each other quickly simultaneously, the same thing on both of their minds. Fred's hands found her waist. Sarah's wrapped around his neck, and they kissed.