Sarah Apparated to the Ministry building right after leaving Sirius' house. She had a few things to do there that she had to get done before lunch. She sat down at her desk and sighed as she looked at the Daily Prophet, which still had stories about the Death Eaters that had escaped from Azkaban several months earlier; almost a year, actually, since they had escaped. She glared at the Death Eater named Bellatrix Lestrange. I hope I'm the one that catches you Bellatrix, Sarah thought to herself still glowering down at the women's photograph in the newspaper. She had never really forgiven Bellatrix for killing her mother and for almost killing her for that matter. It was the reason she had become an Auror in the first place, along with the fact that her mother had been an Auror as well. She tossed the paper in the rubbish bin that was on the floor next to her desk.
She did her paper work and answered a few owls that came to her all morning until her stomach began to rumble hungrily. She looked at her watch for the first time since she got to the Ministry and it was pointing to 'lunch' "Finally time for lunch," she said as she stood up grapping her black traveling cloak her father had gotten for her. She left for Diagon Alley almost at once; she had been planning this trip for a few days now. She wanted to go see Fred and George Weasley, Mrs. Weasley's twin sons and their new shop. They were good friends of hers and she was one of the few that could tell them apart without much effort at all. Though, she was keeping a secret. She had a crush on one of them and had for some time.
She walked into their shop in Diagon Alley, finding George helping a customer, but he looked over at her and smiled the moment she came in through door. "I'll be right back," George told the young lady he was helping in a polite sort of voice. He walked over to Sarah and gave her a hug wrapping his arms around her gently. Sarah hugged George back, smiling as she did so. "I was wondering if we were ever going to see you again." He joked with a teasing laugh as he let go of her. "Pick out anything you want. It's on the house. Seeing that you got us the you-know-what's for the…" He didn't want to finish the rest of that, seeing that what she had got for them could get her into more than a little bit of trouble at the Ministry.
"I didn't think I was ever going to get the free time to be quite honest," she giggled then flashed him an apologetic grin. "And no, George, if I get anything, I'm paying for it." She couldn't help but to smirk at his last half statement, it had been a time getting them, but it was worth it in the end to see the cool stuff they made with them. She brushed a strand of her hair out of her face, which was blonde today, her black traveling cloak still tight around her.
"Don't argue with me, Paws," he replied as he crossed his arms in front his chest using her nickname given to her by both Sirius and Lupin. "Your money is no good here and you bloody well know it. You've helped us get things we needed that we couldn't get on our own. We owe you big time for all your help; so don't argue with me. You don't pay for anything and that's final." He beamed at her and then walked back over to the girl in a light brown cloak whom he had been helping when she had come in.
Sarah sighed; there was no point in arguing with someone as stubborn as he was. She smiled as he walked away and then began to look around. She figured Fred was in the back making something or doing something else keeping himself busy as always since opening the shop. She spotted something that caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. She read the sign that said when the person put this necklace on it would melt causing their necks to turn a vibrant shade of purple where the necklace had melted. She picked it up, looking it over. She always found their inventions interesting.
"Those are quite amusing," a familiar voice said in her ear suddenly making her aware she was no longer alone, causing her to gasp, jump, and drop the necklace on the floor with a small thud all in almost one movement.
"Bloody hell Fred, you scared me!" declared Sarah, her voice a bit shaky when she spoke. She knelt to the floor to pick the necklace up; she had been jumpy ever since she found out that Bellatrix had escaped Azkaban.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," he replied sitting some stuff down he had picked up before seeing her. Then knelt down to pick up the necklace she had dropped as she did the same. Their hands touched the necklace at the very same moment, his hand gently touched the top of hers, and they both looked at each other for a moment not taking their eyes off each other, their eyes locked into each other's gaze.
Sarah jerked her hand away quickly but gently at the same time, letting Fred pick the necklace up. They both straightened up standing back up facing each other still. There was a silence between them for a moment or two.
George, who, unknown to his brother and friend, had been watching them since the moment Fred came out of the back room. He shook his head smiling at the two of them. He could see in that moment and had seen for a long time now what they apparently didn't see or were afraid to see.
"So, what brings you here in the middle of the day?" Fred finally said, breaking the silence first. Then seeing George watching and listening to them he said, "I know you didn't come here to see George, did you?"
"Just wanted to stop by," she replied, not adding more than that or her true reason for 'stopping by'. Then hearing what he said about George she glimpsed over at him and laughed then looked back at Fred. "Oh, of course I came to see George who else would I come and see?" she added it in a joking way.
"Oh, now I'm hurt," said Fred as he looked down at the floor, trying hard to hide the fact that he was joking as well and wondered if he was seceding.
Before Sarah could say anything George spoke as he approached them. "See, Fred, everyone comes to see me," he said laughing; in way hoping to lighten the mood the two of them seemed to have created.
"I'm just going to go put this stuff in the back," Fred told Sarah pointing to the stuff he had sat down when she dropped the necklace. He would never have admitted that what they had said bothered him a little, mostly the part about Sarah not coming to see him.
"Wait, Fred," Sarah said quickly, noticing the look of almost pain in Fred's eyes before he turned and started to walk away back towards the back room. "Don't go please. We were only joking around you should know that by now. You know I came here to see you as well." She grabbed his hand instantly, to stop him from walking away. The moment she touched Fred's hand it felt like a surge of electricity went through her body; Fred felt it too. If George had noticed, he didn't say a word.
"Sarah," Fred whispered, uncertainty surrounding his voice as he spoke. "Would you come in the back for a minute? I… we need to talk." He pulled his hand unwillingly away from hers; still not sure, what he was doing or going to say for that matter. His head felt as if it were spinning out of control about to crash as he started to walk once more towards the door leading to the back room of their shop.
Sarah said nothing, though what could she have said anyway; she just followed him to the back room quietly. Her head filled with wonder and confusion as she followed her friend. She only spoke when Fred closed the door behind them.
"Is something wrong?" she asked nervously, wondering if she had said or done something wrong that, something that she was unaware that she had.
"Yes…… well no… yes…. I mean," said Fred nervously as he stared at her for a moment feeling more confused than before. It was the first time Sarah had ever seen him acting like this before, so confused so nervous so unsure of himself and what he was saying or trying to say. "It's not really wrong I guess." he capitulated for a moment trying to get his head together enough to say what he was trying so desperately to tell her. "I mean…. I don't know what I mean." He looked sadly down at the floor. There was no way she was feeling the same way, she was beautiful, smart, and amazing; she could have any guy she wanted. Why would she want to be with him, he was nothing she deserved or so he felt?
"Fred, what is it?" Sarah replied, with a now worried voice. She walked over to him and stood directly in front of him. Her eyes looked at him full of concern and worry.
Fred looked up at the sound of her voice. She's standing too close, was his first thought when he saw her standing in front of him; his heart feeling as if it was running a marathon he was unprepared to be running. He took her hands gently in his, swallowed the huge lump that had made its way into his throat. "Sarah," he said his voice showing ever bit of his apprehension. He had to tell her sooner or later, he knew that much for sure. Now or never, he thought to himself. "We've been friends for a while now and you know me better than anyone, other than George of course. I can tell you anything and I know that and you know that. You're one of my best friends." He paused for a moment; he seemed to be rambling too much now and he was more than aware of it. He looked deep into her emerald green eyes. Get your head together and just say it…now or never, he told himself. "But I don't want to be just your friend anymore. I know you probably don't feel the same way, but I can't hide it anymore, it's killing me not to say how I really feel." He squeezed her hands gently as he waited terrified out of his mind that he had just ruined their friendship for good; regret started to fill his mind as looked at her wondering if he had just screwed everything up between them.
Sarah's eyes lit up at the words she'd wanted to hear for so long now. She couldn't believe it; it felt like a dream almost except she was full aware she was awake. She wasn't sure what to say back to him; words didn't seem enough. So she leaned into him slightly and kissed him gently on his lips, then pulled back to look him in his eyes. "You don't know how long I've wanted to hear you say that," she said smiling at him and giggling at the pure surprise on his face from her kiss.
Fred was extremely surprised by Sarah's kiss, but more so by her words. "You have?" he said with a look of shock now expanding through his eyes. "Why didn't you ever say anything?" He blinked at her.
"For the very same reason you didn't I suppose," Sarah said smiling at him. "I was afraid too; afraid you didn't feel that way about me."
"Bloody hell! Why would I not?" Fred replied looking deep into her eyes. "You're smart, sweet, kind, talented, strong," He began to laugh slightly trying to lighten the mood as he finished. "And you can handle putting up with me and George, not many can do that. Not to mention you call me on all my shit" He pulled her closer to him, letting go of her hands, so that he could put his arms around her waist feeling the nerves working up again.
Sarah laughed at what he said about putting up with him and George and calling him on his crap. It was true they could be a hand full at times and did things sometimes that they shouldn't. "So what now?" she asked looking up at him nervously as her stomach seemed to do a flip inside her.
He contemplated for a moment about her question before deciding how to answer. "I say you and I go out tonight, on a date," Fred said with a grin. He couldn't believe this was happening and it wasn't even a dream.
"Sounds good to me," Sarah replied, happily, jumping up and down in excitement and joy on the inside. She felt as if she was on a broom flying at full speed "Where are we going to go?"
"How about…" started Fred before he paused for a moment to ponder that question a bit longer as he contemplated their options. He wanted it to be romantic; since it was his first date with her and he wanted it to be something she'd never forget as long as she lived. "Madame Puddifoot's?"
"Sounds perfect to me," she grinned, her arms resting against his. "What time do you want to meet there? I get off of work today around 6:30."
"Then we'll meet there at seven," he remarked, still holding her close, with his arms around her waist, not wanting to move from this spot.
He leaned in to kiss her, but before he could, he heard what he thought was someone entering the store snapping him back to the reality of where they were and he pulled back. "I should go out front and help George," he said sounding as if he didn't really want to, but knew he should.
"Yes, I agree." Sarah responded sweetly. She had to be getting back to work soon anyway.
Fred walked over, held open the door for her, and then walked out right behind her. Sarah walked over to look at something and Fred walked with her, but neither said a word. Fred stood beside Sarah, with their backs to George, who was just giving back a customers change. Fred placed his hand on Sarah's lower back as she looked at a Disappearing Quill, it was suppose to disappear and reappear someplace else every time a person laid it down.
George, who had been watching them out of the corner of his eye since they came out front and walked over to them as the customer left. "Please tell me this means what I think hope it means?" he asked, giving them both a pleading almost begging look.
Sarah tried to keep from laughing as she answered him, not turning around to look at him, to hide the smile on her face from him better, "Whatever e you rambling about now, George?" she asked, not answering his question on purpose.
"Yes, dear brother, whatever are you rambling about now?" Fred questioned him as he pretended to be looking at something on the shelf that seemed more interesting than his brother was.
"Don't start with me, you two!" shouted a frustrated George as he threw his hands in the air in irritation. "Now tell me what the bloody hell is going on with you two!" He knew something was up and one of them was going to tell him or else. He had watched the two of them around each other for far too long now to not know something was different in how they were acting towards each other; their body language was different as was the tone in their voices.
"George, I think you're hallucinating again," Sarah replied in a bored sort of voice as she pretended to be examining the Disappearing Quill once more.
"Nothing's going on," replied Fred, sounding as bored as Sarah did.
"Don't give me that crap!" griped George, glaring at them both. "I know something's up! Now tell me what the bloody hell it is!"
"We either tell him or he's going to keep bugging us," Sarah said telepathically to Fred while George was ranting like a pure lunatic.
"You start and I'll follow your lead," Fred said back to her. As long as his hand was touching her, he was able to talk telepathically with her.
Sarah sighed trying to sound annoyed and placed the quill back down. "Fine, since you're going to be a big git over it. We'll tell you."
"Sarah told me she was in love with Charlie," Fred said, sounding more serious than he was actually being. At his words, Sarah tried hard not to burst out with laughter.
"What?!" George yelled more out of shock than anger this time and looking like he was either going to faint or fall the floor having a heart attack.
"Fred!" Sarah said as she slung her arm into his stomach playfully.
"I'm kidding, George, relax, don't give yourself a heart attack," Fred laughed after seeing his brother's reaction. Then after a second of laughing he added, sounding serious again, "I told her I liked her and wanted to be more than just her friend and she said the same. Are you happy? Now you know."
"It's about bloody time!" George said happily feeling his body relax to a more calm state, smiling at his brother and one of his best friends.
"What do you mean by 'It's about time'?" Sarah replied turning around to look at him, for the first time since they had come back out front, as she placed both her hands on her hips.
"Well, I just mean it's about time you finally said something you two were driving me bloody mental," explained George before Fred could comment on what he had said. "I've seen it for a long time now, that you two had a thing for each other for as long as I can remember now, but you both were too scared that the other one didn't feel the same way. It was written all over your faces whenever you were around each other." George rolled his eyes at them for not seeing what was there.
Sarah and Fred stared at each other; shock written all over both of their faces. Had they really been that obvious to everyone else, but themselves, or had it been just George whom had noticed the unsaid feelings between the two of them? Panic started to feel her body as the possibilities started to make themselves noticed.