A/N: This story is starting to roll...it got off to somewhat of a slow start. Let me know what you think!
Chapter 9: Partners
"Are you leaving already?" Snape asked, surprised, as he entered her room, seeing her stuff clothes in her bag.
"Yeah, I'm sorry," Sarah turned her head in his direction. "Work is really going to take off now that we have the information from Voldemort's manor and it is easier to do all of this from Grimmauld Place."
Snape frowned, "Do you think they'll put you on assignment this soon?"
She nodded, "I have no doubt. They don't need people in the office, Dad."
There was a long pause.
"Okay," he let out his breath. "Do you need help?" he asked rather formally.
She inwardly cringed. They had seemed to make progress over the holidays but Snape clearly still disapproved of her choices and that made her heart hurt...more than she wanted to admit.
"I'm good," she forced a smile, "Thanks, Dad."
"Good, well," Snape shifted and then swiftly moved across the room. He tipped her chin up, "Look at me."
She forced her eyes on him.
"Don't forget to call to check in. And I want to see you for dinners some."
"Of course," she said, nodding.
He dropped his hand and then affectionately patted her head, "And for Merlin's sake, do be careful."
"Of course, I will."
"Good, then," Snape backed away, "I'll leave you to it."
"I love you, Dad," Sarah said, her heart aching. She wanted him to be proud of her and she had a feeling he wasn't.
"I love you, too." He got to the door and turned back around, "I'll only say this. You are an adult now. You must learn to make your own mistakes as you find your way through adulthood. But I am always here for you. Do not forget."
She nodded and he left her alone.
"We have looked over the assessments of the new recruits," Robards said gruffly sitting at the head of a table two weeks later, "and have made determinations of partners."
"We aren't getting partnered with experienced wizards?" Harry asked, his forehead creasing, his hand reaching up to pat down his unruly hair.
"I think the last war has created your experience," Robards said, "And we don't have many experienced aurors left that aren't already on assignment. The information we got from Voldemort's manor needs to be sifted through by our most experienced aurors. For now, this will have to do. If you get in trouble, we have ways for you to call in the others."
Sarah looked at the others at the table: Ron, Harry, and George. She really hoped it wasn't George. Ron and she would be fine. Harry and she would be ideal. But George: that would be a disaster.
"Potter, you and Ron. Black, you and George. Any questions?"
Sarah cringed and George sat up straighter, "But I'd thought…that Potter and Black would be together since they completed the last mission."
"Your assessments completed in the last two weeks indicate that you and Black are better suited."
"That's impossible," Sarah's mouth dropped opened. She didn't understand how that could even be possible.
"Black, watch yourself," Robards growled at her.
"I'm sorry," Sarah frowned, "it's just…"
"What is it? Am I not good enough for our pureblooded princess?" George drawled lazily.
She turned swiftly to him, "Shut it, George. Honestly." She turned to Robards. "This is what I mean. How can I trust him to have my back in the field when he has such animosity towards me?"
"Me? I don't have a history of conspiring with dark wizards. If anyone has reason to worry, it's me!" George exclaimed.
"That's ridiculous!" she shot back, "you have some nerve."
"Put it aside, Black, and do your job," Robards told her, adamantly, "That goes for you, Weasley." He plopped two folders down in front of them, "Pettigrew and Yaxley. Those are the two wizards you are responsible for tracking." He put more in front of Harry and Ron, "Dolohov and Nott. These files contain the latest information we have on them. Study them and evaluate them. Lupin is overseeing the four of you," He beckoned to Lupin who had just knocked on the door, "Go to him with any questions or ideas of where to go. Understood?"
They all nodded and Robards said his goodbyes and left the room.
"Go ahead and start reading," Lupin said.
Sarah reached for Wormtail's file, but George snatched it from her. "Too much history with him, Black."
"Harry has the history with Wormtail, not me," Sarah shot back, "And Remus."
"You too," Lupin interjected, quietly, "but we know that will only be an advantage for you. But each of you will have the opportunity to read the files, so Sarah, you can start with Yaxley…and for the record," Lupin's voice turned stern, "I am not your professor anymore and the stakes are so much higher than a failing grade in a course, so I will not be playing child minder between the two of you. Find a way to work together or find another job."
"Understood, sir," Sarah said, reaching for Yaxley's file, "I don't mind looking at this first."
He nodded and Sarah glanced at Harry, but he was already engrossed in Dolohov's file. She sighed and focused on her work.
Two contentious, miserable days later, Sarah nervously knocked on the door to Andromeda's cottage.
Remus opened the door, "Sarah," he said, his voice holding his surprise. "Come on in," He opened it wider for her to pass.
"Is it okay that I am here?" she fiddled with the ends of her blue knit scarf.
"Of course, Andi is away…not sure where," he said, "It's just Teddy and I tonight. Want to stay for supper? I'm just about to eat."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize. I don't want to impose," she said, shifting.
"Nonsense, you are family," Lupin said, adamantly, his arm around her shoulder for a quick hug. "I'm glad you are here. Now take off your coat."
"Can I help with something at least?" she asked as she shrugged off her navy peacoat, placing it on the hooks and then unraveled her scarf.
"Feed Teddy, maybe?" Lupin asked, "though I have to warn you, he likes to spit and fling his food. Can't say I blame him, the mash looks so unappetizing, but they all say it is what he needs."
She laughed, her weary eyes lighting up, "Thanks for the warning and I think I'm up to the challenge. Hi Teddy," she clapped her hands at him, being rewarded with a huge grin and then leaned down to give him a kiss on the head. "I missed you, kiddo."
She began to try to feed Teddy, making noises and shifting the spoon like a train, "It's the Hogwarts Express. Can you say Gryffindor? Gryf-fin-dor!"She swirled the spoon around.
"Aunt Paddy," Lupin called from in the kitchen, "His mum was a Hufflepuff."
"Well, yes, I know, and she was the best Hufflepuff in the world, but I have no doubt, it's going to be Gyriffindor," she waved her hands in excitement, "just like your Da!" She paused, "Or Slytherin like your Granny Andi. That would be okay too, I suppose. My father is head of Slytherin and he is one of the best men I know."
"Oh goodness," Lupin laughed from the kitchen, "Slytherin over Hufflepuff? What kind of Gyffindor are you, Paddy?"
"Well, I just don't know. A conflicted one I suppose," she made a silly face at him and Teddy giggled, "Maybe Ravenclaw because you are just so brilliant!"
Lupin laughed, "Your Aunt Paddy is so silly," he told Teddy as he put plates, glasses, and silverware on the table. "Try feeding him instead of sorting him at nine months, Sarah," he said over his shoulder.
"Okay, I suppose your Da is right," Sarah twirled the spoon, "so, here's the Hogwarts Express. See, Teddy, it goes choo choo. Choo Choo!"
Teddy giggled and she shoved the puree into his mouth.
"Good girl, Paddy! You are a natural." Lupin bought a plate of pasta and sauce to the table, serving her a plate.
"Do you really think so?" she asked.
"I do," Lupin fixed a plate for himself. Sarah's eyes grew more sober and Lupin could tell she was thinking about the baby she had lost. "You'll have it one day, Sarah. The doctors say that there should be nothing preventing it."
"I know," she smiled at Teddy, "I was too young anyway, I think."
Lupin sat, "What brings you here?" he asked, taking a bite.
She looked at him sheepishly, pausing in her feeding of Teddy, "Well to be perfectly honest, I needed a place to hide out for a bit."
"Why is that?" Lupin asked, curiously.
"Harry and Ron are hounding me about dinner tonight at the Weasleys…especially since George and I are partners, Mrs. Weasley wants me there for dinner…and well," she twirled Teddy's spoon, "I couldn't just sit at home when I told them that I couldn't come because I had plans so I had to figure out plans…and I thought maybe you would be home because of Teddy and all…"
"Sarah," Lupin frowned, "you need to make this work with George."
She held up her hands, "I'm trying, Remus. I swear to Merlin, I am, but he is just bloody impossible. Everything I say…everything I do, he questions. I'm not an idiot. And I'm not a secret death eater which he bloody well knows. He hates me and to be honest, he isn't my favorite person right now either. Not to mention, Gin still hates me which is making things hopelessly awkward now that I am living with Harry, but bloody hell, Remus, it's my home!"
Remus stood and retreated into the kitchen, opening up a bottle of wine with two glasses. He poured wine into the two glasses and then placed one in front of her, "Drink," he instructed. "It goes good with the pasta and you sound like you need it."
She took a sip, "I can't imagine why you would think that," she said, dryly.
"What does Harry say?" Lupin asked, taking over feeding Teddy for Sarah so she could eat.
"Oh, to just ignore her and he isn't going to change our friendship for her. But…I'm think they are going to get married one day…and I suppose I always saw Harry and I being like our families were…you know?"
"Yes," Lupin nodded, seriously, "And I know Harry wants that. He loves you. Ginny will come around. Let Harry handle it and don't become too involved."
"Oh, trust me, I'm not," she said, adamantly, "But George…I have to be involved in that," she took another bite, swallowing it, "And I can't even…and then these files…I don't know what the hell I'm doing in the aurors. And I can't talk to Snape about this, because he would just say I told you so."
"I doubt Severus would," Remus commented, dryly, summoning a wet washcloth to wipe Teddy's hands and face.
"Oh he may not say it, but he would be thinking it," she retorted. "Snape is always right. I'm always wrong. He says I'm an adult but he clearly still sees me as a child."
"He's trying to give you space to be an adult," Lupin lifted Teddy out of the high chair and then went to put him in the play pen with some toys and back to sit at the table next to Sarah. He summoned his plate and wine across the table to finish his food.
"I suppose," she sighed, "but then I can just feel his disapproval. He might be watching his words, but he isn't holding back the fact that he allowing me to make my own mistakes. Bloody hell, I feel like he is waiting for me to fail."
"I'm sure that's not true," Remus countered, gently.
"I just," Sarah put her fork down to drop her head into her hand, her elbow on the table, "I sometimes feel like I have nobody. Snape is creating this weird distance between us since I entered the aurors. Draco is gone. Hermione is so busy. Harry is now partnered with Ron and both of them are working long hours and I am too, but mine is with bloody George Weasley who I can't even breathe without him having a problem with me."
"Don't take this the wrong way," Lupin's voice was gentle, but firm, "but you have to toughen up when it comes to George. You are letting your personal feelings with Weasley cloud your ability to do your job and Sarah, it has only been two days."
"Remus," Sarah sighed.
"No," Remus put his hand on her arm, "Listen for a moment longer. Harry and Ron already are much further along after two days than you and George are and to be honest, Robards and I are surprised by that. You have a keen mind, Sarah…one of the best in the aurors right now…we know you and Hermione were the brains behind so much of Harry's destroying of the horcruxes. Robards wanted you so badly because you have the incredibly power in your spell work, but you also have the intelligence to take yourself far. So why aren't you using it?"
She took another sip of the wine, "Wormtail is a rat, Lupin, so it seems rather impossible to hunt him down until he makes a move."
"And Yaxley…" he prompted.
"Well, Yaxley," she chewed a bite of her pasta swallowing it, "is a different story altogether."
"Yes," Lupin prompted, "so what's the plan?"
"I think we need to go back to his roots and check out all the places he has ever been known to be associated with."
"I think that would be a good start," Lupin said, evenly.
"George thinks it is waste of time because he won't choose some place obvious."
Lupin shrugged, "Maybe, but what do you think?"
"I think that we need to start somewhere and maybe somebody in one of those villages knows something, you know?"
He pointed his finger at her, "Exactly."
"But what am I supposed to do?"
"You tell George that this is what you want to do and start making plans to do it. You stood up to arguably the darkest wizard in history at the last battle and now you are letting George Weasley stomp all over you. That's not you."
She swallowed hard, "I know, but…"
"You feel guilty over Fred," Remus reached over to tussle her hair, affectionately, "Paddy, you got to push those feelings aside. Don't let him take advantage of your guilt. I like George. He is overall a good bloke, but the way he is treating you isn't right." He stood taking her plate, "Furthermore, you should go to dinner at the Weasleys. It's time to stop hiding, Paddy. Take it from someone who has felt ashamed and hid all his life. It's not something you want to get into the habit of doing."
He went into the kitchen and she reached for his plate, following him. "Hey, Remus?"
Remus flicked his wand and the dishes began to be magically washed. "What is it?"
"Thanks for being here for me," she said. "I know you said you didn't want to play child minder between George and myself, but I did need someone to talk to…"
"I never meant you shouldn't talk to me as your friend, Sarah," Lupin said, honestly. "You can come here anytime," he said.
"Thank you," she smiled at him.
He nodded and they made their way back to the sitting room to sit on the couch next to the fire. "So, how is Andi?"
"Fine, I think," Remus said, "She should be home in another hour or so."
"Working late?"
"Something like that, I think," Lupin said, vaguely. "Now," he reached over to pat her knee, "Tell me the truth."
"The truth about what?" Sarah asked.
Lupin summoned the newspaper from a few weeks back that speculated on her love life, "This."
She rolled her eyes, "You saved this?"
"Of course," Lupin laughed, folding it up, "it was quite entertaining reading and I haven't had you alone to ask you about it."
"Oh, please, it's all just so silly," Sarah sighed, "I'm not dating any of them."
Lupin reached over to poke at her arm, "I rather think you are just like your father," he teased.
"Very funny," Sarah giggled.
"I would say your father would be proud, but since you are his little girl, he would probably hunt them down…Harry included," Remus said.
"Probably so," She leaned her head against the back of the couch, her hands on her stomach, "I'm still in love with Draco, Remus," she said, quietly.
"I know you are," Lupin said, quietly. "But one day, you'll meet someone else and you'll find yourself opening up again. I don't know if your love will ever go away, because you shared so much together and he was your first, but one day, it will just be a sweet memory."
She looked over at him and met his eyes, "Are you talking about my mum? Or Tonks?"
"Both of them," Remus's voice cracked as he stood, "Teddy needs to be put to bed, but I want you to stay a while, Sarah."
"I'd like that," she said. He leaned down with Teddy so Sarah could give her godson a kiss goodnight and then she leaned back on the couch, watching the fire, her mind lost in her thoughts…of Draco…of her mum…of poor Tonks who would never know her sweet son.
"Andi, I enjoyed this," Severus said as he stood on the steps to her cottage. "Immensely."
"Dinner was delicious, Severus," Andi said, her hands fumbling with her keys.
He reached out to touch her gloved hand lightly, "That's not what I meant."
She looked at his hand and then up at him, "I did too."
"Then, what is the problem?"
Andi bit her lip, her normal confidence fading immensely. "I suppose because I haven't done this in years…I mean decades, Sev."
"Dated?"
She nodded.
"Me either, actually," Severus admitted. "Well, maybe not quite that long. But at least eight years…"
"Since you took guardianship of Sarah?"
He nodded, "Sarah took precedence. She was so needy after Grace died and she needed my undivided attention."
"What about Narcissa?"
"Narcissa is married," Severus responded, automatically, but Andi raised her eyebrows, skeptically.
Severus paused and then supplied, "It never got far. Cissy would always choose what was comfortable. And when it comes down to it, our relationship is always going to be altered by the way she and Lucius treated Sarah. I can't easily forgive them that…"
"I understand, it's just…oh blast it, Sev," she stopped fiddling with her keys, "I like you." She handed him her keys, "See if you can do this."
He smiled at her, "That's precisely what I am trying to tell you, Andromeda." He stuck the key in the lock and turned it, it clicking open. "So should we do this again?" he handed her keys back, but neither of them made a move to open to door, though they were both cold in this January weather.
"Yes," Andi said, "but I am so much older than you."
Severus rolled his eyes, "Please," he drawled. He stepped aside and she turned the door knob and pushed it open.
"Come in for tea, Sev and we can talk more."
"I'd like that," he said, simply.
But when they both stepped through, they saw Remus sitting on the couch, looking quite amused.
He stood, his tea cup in his hand, "the kettle is still on the stove. Don't mind me. I'll just be going to be now."
Andi blushed, "That's not necessary. I'll go start the kettle," she said, a glance at Severus, whose expression never faltered.
Remus raised his eyebrow, "She's my mother in law, Severus."
"You quite robbed the cradle with Nymphadora," Severus said, dryly, "That isn't my fault." He paused and then winced at Remus's look, "Was that insensitive?"
Remus's eyes twinkled, "No, no. It's true. Dora was quite younger than I was, but very mature."
"Of course. I always like Nymphadora," Severus said, solemnly.
"Does Sarah know about you and Andi?" Remus asked, changing the subject quickly.
Severus shook her head, "No, she doesn't."
"But you have been seeing a lot of her."
"Well, not officially," Severus clarified.
"She was here tonight, you know."
"Sarah was? Why?" Severus looked confused.
"She needed a friend," Remus said.
"She has friends," Severus's forehead creased.
"Apparently, not ones she can talk to. This whole partnering with George has been difficult for her."
Severus looked aghast, "They paired her with George Weasley? What the hell were they thinking?"
"Apparently, their assessments indicated they were well suited…"
"To pull off pranks at Hogwarts maybe," Severus shot back, "but not to hunt down and capture some of the darkest wizards in this country. Are they mad?"
"You do know," Lupin told him, evenly, "that she feels like she can't come to you because you would gloat that you were right about the aurors from the start."
Severus looked perturbed, "I wouldn't…"
"Well, she said you would maybe wouldn't say it, but you would think it," Remus clarified.
"Since when did she become a master legilimens?" Snape muttered.
Remus chuckled, "You don't have to be a legilimens to figure that one out, Sev," he patted his arm, as Andi came back in the room.
"Tea is steeping," she said, looking between the two of them. "What happened?"
"I was just telling Sev that Sarah just visited tonight," Lupin said.
"I'm sorry I missed her," Andi said. "Is she doing alright?"
"She asked after you actually. And yes, I think all things considered, she'll be fine." He smiled at Andi. "Off I go. Have a good night."
Andi went back into the kitchen for the tea cups. When she returned, Severus was sitting on the couch, his hand rubbing his face, contemplatively.
"What is it, Sev?" she handed him the tea and he took a sip then placed it on the table and she did the same.
"Sarah came to Lupin tonight and not me," Severus frowned.
"Maybe she tried coming to you first and we were out," Andi suggested.
"I don't think so," Severus shook his head, "I think she feels that she can't come to me about her work problems."
"Have you told her that she could?"
"I have, multiple times," Severus let out his breath, "Do you think she doesn't trust me?"
"Oh, Sev, no," Andi tucked her feet on the couch under her and then leaned over to put her arms around his shoulders. "That rift is long past."
"Still, I can see glimpses of how it was before and I can't go back to how it was after I killed Dumbledore," Severus shuddered, "Those were some of the worst months of my life."
"Sev," Andi looked at him, seriously, "That's over with. She came to Remus tonight just because she did. He's an auror now too and she probably feels like he would understand. And Lupin is more of a friend to her than a parent."
"Sometimes it is just so bloody awkward navigating this."
"Welcome to parenting an adult…one who happens to dealing with all the rampant emotions of her early adult years and figuring out what it means to be a woman in this world," Andi smiled at him, "you know we are very particular creatures."
Severus chuckled under his breath and then they both seemed to realize how close Andi's face was to his, her arms still resting on his shoulders.
She started to pull away but Severus reached out to put his hands on her hips. "Don't," he breathed.
She ducked her head on his shoulder, "What if I can't do this, Sev?"
"Because your heart is still tied up with Ted's memory?"
She nodded, but didn't look up.
"I don't think you should worry on that account. I'm not naïve Andi. You just have to let us see where this goes and not overthink it."
"Don't you overthink things?" Andi rose her head.
"All the time," Severus said, nodding solemnly, "Like how someone as beautiful and accomplished and good as you could want someone like me…a death eater and a murderer…"
Andi shifted so her feet dropped but she still laid against his side and his arm wrapped around her waist tightly as they snuggled on the couch, "Well, you see, I see you as differently. I see a good father. And a hero who made the choices we all couldn't do help defeat evil."
"You are generous, Andromeda."
"I don't think so. I want to see where this goes, Severus."
"Good," Severus kissed the side of her head, affectionately.
Andi smiled and sighed at the sweet gesture. "You are really quite sweet at times."
"Shh," Severus hushed her, "You'll ruin my reputation."
She laughed, "We can't have that, can we?"
"Certainly not," Severus said, sarcastically and then patted her hip, "I'm glad, Andromeda."
"Me too," Andi replied.
"This is a waste of time," George grumbled as they apparated away. "I told you it would be."
"We only checked out one of the three places we narrowed it down to," Sarah retorted, "And maybe it is a waste of time, but maybe one of those other places has a clue for us. It is worth exploring all options instead of waiting for Yaxley to act."
"You could always ask Daddy dearest if he has an idea to help us." George shot back.
Her eyes flashed and then she schooled her features, "Its dinner time."
"Yeah, what of it?" George asked.
"Oh good," Harry ran up to them, "You guys are back in time. Are you ready?"
"I think I want to change," she said. "I have a change of clothes at my desk. I'll just head to the lavatory and be back in a few minutes."
"Go on," Harry nodded.
"What are you doing?" George asked, curiously.
"I'm coming to dinner at your mum's," she smiled sweetly. "Isn't that lovely?" She tossed her head and then left Harry and stunned George to change.
"Sarah, dear," Molly pulled her in for a motherly hug, "I'm so glad you finally came!" she declared. "Months, Sarah. It's been months."
"I know, Mrs. Weasley," she pulled away from her, "I'm sorry for staying away."
"You are a sweet girl," she patted her cheek, affectionately. "And my Fred would have wanted you here." She glanced at George who was looking stormy. "Well, its true, George, and I'm not going to mince my words around you," she put her hand on her hip. "Now," she gestured for Harry, "Harry, two dinners in one week. I feel so honored," she gripped his face to pull him in for a kiss on the cheek, "Ginny is in the other room. She goes back to Hogwarts next week, you know. This winter term break always seems so long."
Sarah paused, unbuttoning her coat. "I didn't realize that…"
Molly took her coat and she unwrapped her scarf and pulled off her mittens, "Is Snape at Snape Manor still?"
She frowned and bit her lip, "I suppose. Actually, I'm not sure."
"That's a lovely sweater," Molly fingered her pink wool cowl necked jumper, "Looks so cozy. Perfect for this weather…and looks lovely with your complexion." She put Sarah's coat and scarf on the hook , "Well, come on in," She gestured them all in. Harry went over to kiss Ginny and George went upstairs. Sarah followed Molly into the kitchen. "Can I help?"
"If you want," Molly smiled at her as she began to chop some carrots. "Why don't you do this and I'll peel, boil and mash the potatoes?"
"Perfect," she retorted as Molly handed her the knife she was using and Sarah took her place.
"I would think Severus would be keeping better tabs on you," She clucked as she peeled the potatoes.
"Well, since I moved into Grimmauld Place and am working really long hours at the office, it's really hard for us to connect at times," she said as she peeled and chopped the carrots expertly.
"Still," she frowned, "Is he seeing anybody?"
"Snape?" Sarah's eyes widened, "I've never thought about Snape seeing anyone!"
"It's not such an unreasonable question," Molly stopped peeling, opting for a spell instead, "He used to, you know."
"What do you mean?"
"Before he took custody of you, he dated. There were stories. The ladies quite liked him. Apparently rumor had it that there was this… woman in Hogsmeade that he would see from time to time…and that she had a reputation herself of being quite wild."
The knife slipped, "Please tell me you are joking," she cringed.
"Don't think it is only you young ones that can have fun. How do you think Arthur and I had seven children?" Molly winked at her.
Sarah blushed, "Of course, but he's my dad. And he's snarky."
"Some women like that type of man," Mrs. Weasley said, knowingly, "Do you favor them?"
"Favor whom?" Sarah blushed further, "Like bad boys?"
"Yes, like that…"
"Well, I don't know," she shrugged, "I haven't really thought about it that way."
"Well," George announced as he came in and reached for a piece of bread, Molly swatting his hand, "I'd say she does. Unless he's a death eater, don't bother."
Molly put her hand on her hip, "That's not what I meant. I more meant edgy…even your brother was edgy, George Weasley with all those pranks, Merlin rest his soul." Molly's lip quivered. "So do you like edgy men?"
She shrugged, "I haven't really thought about it. I wasn't attracted to Voldemort, so maybe not."
Molly looked startled and then laughed, "you really shouldn't joke about it, Sarah. Some people don't know you as well as we do."
"I don't usually," Sarah assured her. "And I'm really not sure I have a preference."
"With Sirius Black as your father and Severus Snape as your adopted father, I wouldn't be surprised if you did like the bad ones."
Sarah shrugged.
"But are you seeing anybody?" Molly pressed.
"Sarah?" Ginny came in, snorting, "haven't you read the papers, mum?"
Sarah handed Mrs. Weasley the cutting board full of chopped carrots and she put them in a pan, sprinkled a brown sugar glazed over them and sent them to the oven.
"You know the papers are rubbish, Gin," Sarah said, looking at her evenly. "I do hope you aren't giving Harry a hard time over it. It's not his fault."
"And it isn't Sarah's either," Mrs. Weasley gave Ginny a warning look. "I'm sure she doesn't encourage it."
"No, of course not," She made a face, "I think Rita Skeeter is ridiculous. She had Harry with Hermione and Luna at other points."
"But who was that man you were dancing with at the ministry ball?" Mrs. Weasley asked, casually.
"That bloke is Sarah's healer, which is all pretty skeevy if you ask me," Ron said, coming in, "though he is a good bloke."
"We like him," Harry said, nodding seriously.
"Are you dating him?" Mrs. Weasley asked, watching the potatoes boil.
"Just a good friend, Mrs. Weasley," Sarah said, smiling at her. She did miss Mrs. Weasley and especially how she mothered all of them.
"So you aren't seeing anybody?" Molly asked yet again as she banished the potatoes to the sink to drain and then began to mash them.
"She's not," Harry offered. "She is really busy at work."
Sarah nodded, solemnly, "Incredibly busy."
"How is work?" Molly asked, looking pointedly between her and George. George shifted at her pointed question.
"Good," Sarah coughed a bit.
"Because I ask George and he just clams up. Won't tell me anything!" Molly sent her a glass of water.
"Mum!" George protested.
She took it and swallowed it. "I think, maybe, it's because things are so classified, it's hard to talk about, except rather vaguely."
"I don't like this whole business with the aurors," Molly said, sorrowfully, "you all are much too young for all of this."
"She's too young for it!" George exclaimed.
She rolled her eyes, "because your two years really makes you so much more mature than it does me, Weasley. And what about them?" she pointed at Harry and Ron.
"I think you are all too young for it," Molly declared, "And that is my opinion, which I have every right to."
"I think on that, you and Snape are quite in agreement," Sarah retorted.
"I suspect we are," Molly nodded, "Is he terribly unhappy about you joining the aurors?" she asked.
"Pretty much," Sarah said, "But I'm an adult so there is only so much he can do."
"Well," Molly sighed, "I understand all about that." She glanced at her clock, "Dinner in thirty minutes. Why don't you all amuse yourself with something? I'm fine to finish up in here."
"That's another way to say run off and play," George said, wryly.
"You sure you don't need more help, Mrs. Weasley?" Sarah asked, really dreading the prospect of running off and playing with George and Ginny.
"No, thank you, dear," Molly smiled at her.
George looked at her knowingly, "Want to still hide out in here with mummy, Sarah?"
Sarah tossed her head and then stepped ahead of him, them going through the kitchen door together into the family room. She turned around on her heels, them practically colliding by her sudden movement.
Harry and Ron exchanged a look when they saw the look on Sarah's face. They knew that look all too well. And it usually looked like exactly what Professor Snape looked like when he was about to give a student a dressing down.
"Just shut it, George. And for the record, I'm not afraid of you." She poked at his chest, "I stood up to the darkest wizard on this planet so compared to that, you are just child's play," she growled, "And I'm not going anywhere. I am an auror. You are an auror. We are partners now. So you can easily make this experience miserable and we can both get sacked or you can grow the fuck up and back off. I suggest you grow the fuck up and back off because I'm not going to get sacked or worst killed over you acting like a child. Got it?" she glared at him.
George looked stormy for a few more moments and then held up his hands, "Got it, Sarah."
She turned again on her heels, "See that you do."
Harry came up beside George and slung his arm around his shoulder, "It was bound to happen sometime, mate. And she really did love, Fred, you know that."
"Did you?" George called out to her.
She turned back towards him, "Yes. But I can't feel guilty about his death for the rest of my life. And you can't either. There is nothing we could have done to prevent Bella from doing what she did."
He nodded and then broke away from Harry for the bottom of the steps. "Come along, Sarah."
"Why?" she asked, curiously.
"I have some ideas about Yaxley. I have the files here. Let's look at them again and this time, I won't argue with all of your ideas."
She sighed in relief, "Okay, sounds good."
She began to follow him up the stairs before George spun around, holding out his arm to keep her from falling off the stairs, "Gin!" he called from midsteps, "Just so you know, she's not interested in Potter. You should back off of her too now. She's my partner and she doesn't need to be distracted worried that the girlfriend of her best friend hates her."
Ginny grunted, but before Sarah could react, George was pulling her up the stairs to go over those files with her.
A/N: What do you all think? :)
