Late into the evening, Augusta brought them updates. Mrs. Diggory had taken Cedrie after dinner, while Alice had arrived at the Burrow to help look after the children. Everything there was calm for the moment.

  Around midnight, painful cries from the ward sighat Molly’s bor had begun in ear. Arthur paced the corridor, his footsteps eg in the quiet hospital halls as he grew more anxious. Alex and Frank watched, trying to stay calm, brag themselves for what could be a long night.

  As daroached on August 8th, Molly’s cries gradually faded. Then, after a tense silehe sound of a baby’s first cries filled the air.

  Outside the ward, the group sighed in relief, though Arthur’s face remaiense as he waited for news of Molly’s dition. Moments ter, the Healer appeared, her expression softening as she shared the news. “gratutions. Molly and your baby girl are both safe.”

  Arthur’s face lit up with relief and joy, though a hint of worry remained in his eyes. “Thank you,” he said, voice thick with emotion. “ I see them?”

  The Healer nodded, and Arthur ehe ward, where Molly was cradling their newborn daughter. Despite the exhaustion and sorrow on her face, she held her baby with deep, tender love.

  Watg from the doorway, Alex felt a wave of mixed emotions. The joy of new life and the grief of ret losses filled the room with a bittersweet atmosphere.

  Later that m, Alice arrived at the hospital. She’d arranged leave from the Auror Office for herself and Frank, and the Ministry granted Arthur a brief leave as well. The Longbottoms were determio support the Weasleys through this difficult time, knowing the family would need help in the days ahead.

  Alex and Augusta spent most of their time at the Burrow. Frank and Alice took turns staying with Molly in the hospital, while Alex helped eals for the children. Augusta looked after the Weasley children, who, though usually full of mischief, were unusually quiet and subdued, clearly missing their mother and feeling the worry in the house.

  On this day, Alex prepared lunch for the Weasley family as usual, calling Bill to help set the table. The Weasley kids had grown fond of Alex and were unusually obedient around him. Even Bill, just over a year youhan Alex, looked up to him as a big brother, treating him with resped always ready to help.

  “Brother Alex, what are we having for lunch today?” asked Charlie, the most enthusiastic about food, as he hurried to the table.

  “You’ll see soon enough,” Alex replied with a grin, direg Charlie to call his brothers over. He used a floating spell t dishes to the table, pg them ly at each seat.

  Augusta and the children gathered at the table. Gee, the ever-mischievous twin, immediately spotted a pte of ribs in front of him. His mouth watered, and he instinctively reached out to grab one.

  “Ah-hem,” Alex cleared his throat, and Gee’s hand froze mid-air. Embarrassed, Gee quickly withdrew his hand, pig up his knife and fork instead. Alex’s approach to gently correg the twins had made the usually lively Gee and Fred behave more respectfully during meals.

  As everyoarted eating, the Burrow’s front door creaked open. The children g each other, then, as if realizing who it might be, scrambled out of their seats and rushed to the door.

  Alex followed them and, as he expected, there stood Molly, back from the hospital with her newborn daughter in her arms. Arthur stood beside her, smiling, with Frank and Alice just behind. After nearly a week in the hospital, Molly was finally home.

  The children surrouheir mother, shouting “Mom!” and ging to her iement. Some even cried as they hugged her, and Molly, though still visibly worn, managed a warm, f smile for each of her children.

  After embrag her kids, Molly turo Augusta, Alex, and the Longbottoms, her voice filled with gratitude. “Thank you all for everything you’ve done. I ’t imagiing through these days without your help. I missed my children so much, and knowing they were in good hands gave me peace.”

  The children fiheir lunch with ughter and bright smiles, their spirits lifted by the joy of being together. Meanwhile, the adults shared a few quiet words, their expressions refleg both relief and sympathy.

  Arthur looked down at his newborn daughter, his smile warm and proud as he gently held her tiny hand. “We’ve decided to name her Ginevra Molly Weasley,” he announced, his voice filled with love. “We’ll call her Ginny.”

  Molly, though tired, looked around at her friends with a grateful smile. “Dumbledore and Professonagall came to see me at the hospital,” she shared softly, her voice steady but carrying a hint of sadness. “They’ve kindly arrahe funeral for my brothers. I’d like to invite all of you to e.”

  The Longbottoms exged gnces and nodded without hesitation. They were moved by Molly’s strength and admired the way she held her family together, even while dealing with her own pain. Her resilienspired them, and they were determio stand by her in the difficult days ahead.

  After lunch, Alex and Augusta said their goodbyes to the Weasleys, giving them space to settle ba as a family. As they left, the children called out to Alex, clearly sad to see him go.

  Back at the Longbottoms' house, life returo its routihough the uping funeral weighed heavily on everyone’s minds. A few days ter, Alex received an invitation to the funeral for the Prewett brothers and Marlene Mon. Since he was staying with the Longbottoms and had formed friendships with members of the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore thought it fitting to include him.

  On the day of the funeral, Alex dressed in a dark robe and joihe Longbottom family as they traveled to a quiet cemetery in southern Engnd. There, Marlene and the Prewett brothers would be id to rest.

  The cemetery was filled with familiar faces, many dressed in somber robes. The Weasley family stood together, visibly heartbroken, while Marlene Mon’s retives, including her younger cousin Charles, stood nearby, eyes red from tears.