Where The Sage Shrubs Grow,

Chapter 112

Third Person POV:
Fred climbed the stairs to his flat, work jacket thrown over his shoulder. George had already finished his work and was upstairs washing the dishes as Sage lounged on the couch, fully absorbed in her book. A telegram had arrived, obviously important enough to be delivered after the post had already run.

I know this is last minute but we're having everyone over for dinner tonight. Apollo, Serenity, Hallie, Harry, Clementine, Hermione, all of them. You must be there, someone has an announcement. We expect you at four.
All my love
- Your long suffering mother

"Whatcha got there?" Sage inquired throwing her arms over the back of the couch
"Mum expects us for dinner tonight." Fred replied leaning down to place kiss to her head
"What? I was gonna cook tonight." George groaned
Sage looked up at Fred skeptically.
"Since when do you cook?" Fred questioned turning to face his brother
"That's besides the point." George retorted

-

"The Burrow!" George called throwing the floo powder down
"See you there." Sage playfully winked at Fred grabbing a handful of the powder "The Burrow!"
Fred went in last gracefully rolling into his childhood living room.
"Hello dear." Molly grinned wrapping her arms around his neck
Apparently, they were the last ones there.
The three went around handing out hellos and hugs.

Sage's POV:
I never realize how much I miss everyone until I'm sat around a dinner table with them. Hallie was leaned over showing off her promise ring Karl had gifted her. A sign of his devoted love and a promise to one day marry her. I'm sure Karl was off bragging about how he had finally done something right, although I'm sure Hallie has never looked happier. Once dinner was over I helped Molly with the dishes as I usually did as Hallie retold the story of the ring.
"Hey do you know what this announcement is about?" I asked cutting her story off at the part where her and Karl made out aggressively
"Oh, um, nope I don't know." Hallie replied staring dreamily at the shiny band around her finger

"Come on then! Don't want to keep everyone waiting." Arthur spoke ushering Me, Hallie, and his wife out of the kitchen
We all sat down around the room finding spots on the couch.
"We'll go on then, who's got a marriage announcement?" George joked
"Shut up Mr single." Ron retorted
George glared at him "I am not single, thank you."

"Ok but seriously why are we here?" I asked finally
Apollo and Serenity finally stood up giggling like a couple of little school girls.
"Well...." Serenity started
"We just found out-" Apollo spoke
"That's we're pregnant!" They said in unison

Everyone's jaws dropped.
"Both of you!" Ron spoke "How is that bloody possible?" His face contorting into confusion and concern
Everyone turned their heads from the couple standing up to the boy who had spoken his thoughts out loud.
"Who's going to tell him?" Harry asked

I leaned over placing a gentle hand on Ron's shoulder.
"Ron, dearest Ron. When a couple says they're pregnant it doesn't mean they're both having a baby it mean she's having the baby but they are both the parents." I explained
"Oh..." Ron bumbled his ears going red with embarrassment
"How long have you known?" Molly asked breaking the awkward silence
"A couple of weeks." Serenity smiled placing a hand over her stomach

"I'm going to be an aunt!" Hallie squealed jumping up to embrace her sister
My eyes widened as I stared blankly at the floor. Hallie's statement causing me to realize the gravity of their statement. Everyone stood up handing out hugs, hand shakes, and congratulations. I continued to sit in shock on the couch. My brother was going to be a father? This put him in such a strange new light.

I mean he did raise me but I think there's a difference between your sister and your actual child.
"Are you happy for us?" Apollo asked sitting down next to me
I finally snapped out of my trance looking up at him "Of course I am. Just a bit of a shock." I smiled

"Bit of a shock for me too, but I'm excited."
"At least you've had a bit of experience." I laughed lightly
"I know... you may be my little sister but in some ways you'll always be my first child."
"As long as I keep my special place."
I knew I probably wouldn't. The second that child comes into the world my time will be over. I'm happy for them though. They really do deserve a happy family.

"My, aren't all the big things happening." Clementine laughed somewhat nervously "Promise rings, new life, and stuff..." she trailed off
"Are you ok?" I asked quietly
"I'm not going back to school..." She replied bluntly
Off her meds again maybe.
"What?"
"Shhh!" She hushed me
"Me, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are leaving school to find a way to defeat Voldemort. We don't want anyone knowing."
"Clementine this is awfully sudden, I know things at school aren't ideal but-"

"Sage! Come here!" Apollo called
"Coming." I replied
I placed a hand on Clementine's leg "Don't do anything drastic, don't put yourself in more danger than you already are." I advised
She laughed "I see you talking Miss Jackson." Raising her eyebrows at me
"Touché." I replied

I stood from the couch walking over to Serenity and Apollo by the staircase.
"What's up?" I asked
"Well we were thinking... if we have a girl, we're going to name her Marie. After you."
My middle name, I expect using my first would probably be confusing.
"Really?" I asked
"Yes, Serenity mentioned the name in passing and we felt it was oddly appropriate. If it's alright with you of course." Apollo explained
"Alright? Of course it's alright with me!" I smiled embracing the two

"Just think of it! A grandchild!" Molly spoke excitedly "Well, of course not my grandchild." She corrected herself
"Of course it's your grand baby." Serenity spoke
"Yes, you've treated me and Sage more like your own children than our actual mother did."
I nodded in agreement.
"I want our children to know you and Arthur as their grandparents."
Molly teared up looking happier than ever "And who can say fairer than that?"

I walked over to Fred who was standing in the corner opposite to me "I think your mother wants a whole wagon load of grandchildren." I laughed whispering to Fred
I watched her now from across the room go on about how she was going to spoil Apollo and Serenity's baby.
"Maybe one day we can fulfill her wish." Fred trailed off nuzzling his nose in the cook of my neck
His wam breath sending a shiver down the back of my neck.
"Stop it!" I flushed red trying to conceal my giddy smile
Fred simply chuckled a my little school girl response, striking up a conversation with Ginny.

I looked around at everyone, it had never truly dawned on me before now that this was what a real family felt like, and that I was apart of it.
"Lovely isn't it?" Harry asked coming to sit next to me
"Come again?" I asked
"Being apart of an actual family I mean." He replied
He knew what I was thinking, and how I felt. I forget Harry and I relate on that score.
"Yeah, it is. Really lovely."

1247 Words