Chapter Four - The Letters

Lily tapped her foot on the floorboards outside the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, arms folded and an impatient frown secured on her face. "Eleven in the morning," she muttered, "or ten past, whatever, it isn't like this could get us in trouble or anything. We should take our time, relax! If we get caught it's only expulsion, and who needs a career anyway?" Her sarcasm was uncharacteristic and Leah glanced up and down the hallway once more, wishing the boys would appear.

James had healed overnight, and although Lily had yet to see him, Sirius had assured her that he was more than capable of accompanying them on their trip to Hogsmeade. A soft breeze caused the hairs on the back of Leah's neck to stand on end, and she narrowed her eyes. There was still no one on the floor with them.

"Be there Evans," the redhead continued, mimicking Sirius' casual voice. "We need to have perfect timing. Oh I'll kill those boys!"

"I've already been close to death once this week, isn't that enough?" Lily squealed and her hand flew to her mouth as James voice floated past them.

"James?" She mumbled, casting her eyes around her. Leah felt a flutter of fabric against her skin and two heads appeared, floating in mid-air. James and Sirius grinned at their shocked expressions.

"Boo," Sirius joked, revealing a glimmer of his neck.

"What the…." Lily walked around the boys, trying her best to figure out how they were making themselves invisible. Slowly, she poked the air where their bodies should be, and came into contact with James.

"Ow! Geez Lil, my ribs aren't completely healed."

"Oh, sorry," her teeth tugged on her lip and they shared brief eye contact that held a long list of unspoken questions and thoughts. James frowned at her, but Sirius, ever the romantic, spoiled the moment.

"Do you need fifteen minutes alone under here? Or can we get going?" James growled at his friend but the spell had been broken.

"Get under then," Sirius ordered nodding at his pelvis.

"What?" Leah recoiled, a disgusted scowl on her face.

"For Merlin's sake Higgs," he shuffled and his body appeared, she could see fabric clasped between his fingers. "It's a cloak, once you are in it, you'll be invisible too. It'll be a squeeze though."

Lily was the first to vanish into the cloak, popping her head out to examine the effects, she grinned at her sudden lack of a torso and legs. "You next Higgs, and get a move on, before someone sees us." Leah cautiously stepped closer to Sirius and turned around; her body was still in full view.

"It hasn't worked," she moaned.

"You aren't close enough, this cloak isn't meant for four people. If we all want to use it you need to come here." Sirius' hand grabbed her jacket roughly and pulled her towards him until her back collided with his chest. Her head hit his jaw and he grunted, "Watch it, Godric you've got a lot of hair." He sputtered as strands found their way into his mouth.

Now she was concealed in the cloak, she could see James, Sirius and Lily who was glowing with anticipation. They wandered over to the witch, a tricky task as they had to duck to cover their feet, but walk in a unit so no arms or legs strayed into the corridor. The witch appeared, ugly and half blind. James checked around them once more before mumbling "Dissendium."

With a brief rumble, the hump of the witch's back moved, revealing a slide into a pit below. "Ok, I'll stand guard, you lot go first." James offered, studying the map and flicking his eyes up and down the empty corridor. Lily slid down first, followed by Leah, Sirius and finally James. The moment he landed on the soft earth, the opening shut with a crunch and the room went black.

With a few mutterings of Lumos, the passageway glowed and James stashed the cloak in a corner near the door. "Right then, let's go shall we?"


Belle was restless that morning, tugging her hair through her fingers repeatedly while she waited for Remus and Peter outside the Gryffindor common room. She had a sinking feeling whenever she thought about her sister, how could she have been so stupid? They would get caught, it was inevitable. The portrait swung open and Remus appeared, dressed in a cream jumper and jeans, he smiled the moment he saw her. "Where's Peter?" She asked, glancing around as though the small boy was going to leap out at any moment.

"He's stuck having extra study time with Slughorn, he blew up a cauldron."

"Don't people always do that?"

"Yes, but as we weren't using it Slughorn felt there was reason to worry." Belle laughed despite her previous mood and they fell into a comfortable but brief silence.

"So, where are we going?" She asked, stroking her hair again.

"I thought it might be nice to visit Hagrid, he looks after the grounds."

"Sure," Belle agreed, and they began their trip to the hut. Remus eyed the book in her arms with a hint of amusement.

"Were you planning on being bored at some point?" She huddled the book under one arm out of sight.

"No, but it's always good to be prepared."

"Of course," she smiled, the kind of smile that you just can't help, dimples sinking in her cheeks as they tightened. Remus wouldn't have minded seeing that smile more often.

Hagrid's hut had smoke billowing from a small chimney and the door was wide open, as a light cloud escaped into the air outside. "Hagrid?" Remus called, peering into the cabin curiously.

A great coughing sound came from within, and a giant man appeared, waving his hand in front of his face. "Remus, wha' a nice surprise." Belle hung back, not wanting to intrude on the moment.

"I'm sorry I haven't visited sooner," he apologised, ever the gentleman.

"Nonsense, you get in and 'ave a cuppa tea." He moved out of the way, when his eyes fell on Belle.

"Oh sorry, this is Belle Higgs, she's new." Belle didn't know Hagrid, but was sure the expression that passed his face was one of shock mingled with apprehension.

"Righ', you come on in then." He finally offered, pointing her towards the large chairs. She gave a fleeting smile as she passed, aware that her presence may not be entirely welcome. She noticed the ash that may have once been cakes on the fire.

Hagrid banged about for several minutes making tea, a thick sludge that smelled damp. Belle gulped most of it down in one swig, hiding her disgust at the taste. "Lovely," she complimented, rubbing her teeth with her tongue.

"Have yer known each other long?" Hagrid asked, flicking his beady eyes between them, she thought he was the type of man who wouldn't be very skilled at keeping secrets. He was too nervous.

"Since the start of the year, but Belle is a Ravenclaw so…"

"Are yer now? Can't say I know many, always feel a bit stupid in fron' of 'em."

This wasn't the nice atmosphere Belle had been promised, she couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't wanted. He coughed again, and shuffled in his seat.

"Where are the lads? Up ter mischief I expect."

"They're around somewhere, I can't really keep track of them." Hagrid smiled knowingly, and patted the head of a small puppy.

"He's lovely," Belle cooed as the dog wagged his tail at her, the giant grinned sheepishly.

"I only jus' got him."

"What's his name?"

"Fang," he announced proudly and Belle raised her eyebrows.

"He doesn't look vicious enough to be called that."

"Don' matter, nobody will come pesterin' when I got a dog called Fang, will they?"

"No, I guess not." He nodded, and she rubbed the puppy's belly when it rolled over.

Remus and Hagrid spoke for a while, mostly about people Belle didn't know, and she found herself settling in the quiet hut. It reminded her of Aunt Maggie's house, cosy and unimposing. She briefly wondered if Leah had posted the letters yet. That was, until Hagrid said something that caught her full attention. "Dumbledore has got me keepin' a close eye on things 'round here. 'Specially with You-Know-Who killing those muggles."

"What muggles?" Remus asked, setting his empty cup down.

"In England I reckon, somewhere in the country. Little town I hear, nobody really noticed."

"Why? Seems a bit odd him killing random muggles in the middle of nowhere."

Hagrid leant in, and Belle stayed perfectly still as she listened to the man who was clearly engrossed in his own story. "Tha's it though, he was after somethin' or someone."

"What?"

"I can't tell yer tha'. The only one who knows got away from him, if he finds her it'll lead 'im straight ter'-" Belle's arm slipped and the cup shattered on the floor. Hagrid stopped as if he had only just remembered Belle was sitting there.

"Lead him where?" Remus asked, ignoring the accident but Hagrid stood up suddenly. "Hagrid, what's wrong?"

"Yer gotta leave now, I'm sorry but I need to be alone." His large presence made the hut seem even smaller as he blocked the natural light. Remus nodded to Belle who pushed the door open and left, hearing the puppy whimper as her hand left his belly.

"I'm sorry Remus, really." Hagrid mumbled, before the door slammed shut.


"You have to be really quiet now, or they'll find us." James whispered, resting a finger to his lips. A prickle of excitement could barely be contained in the girls' stomachs as James pushed up on a tile and peeped through the gap. "Alright, it's clear, we can go."

He pushed his body up through the hole and went on to hold his hand out for Lily, he managed to pull her up and out. "Need a lift?" Sirius asked, linking his hands as a foothold.

"No," she said, rolling her eyes and taking James' hand to jump out of the tunnel.

The stairs up to the shop creaked in the most obvious way, and Leah's heart pounded like a running horse in her chest. She could hear the voices, and smell the sugar as they neared the door. It was surprisingly easy to slip through and mingle into the crowd of people, all grasping for handfuls of treats.

Once they stepped onto the street outside, James snapped his jacket proudly, "See I told you we'd be fine."

"You did, I still feel on edge though. It'll be better when we get back to Hogwarts." Lily admitted, searching around for familiar faces.

"You are such a spoil sport Evans, this is why we never brought you before." Sirius strolled ahead and turned to see if they were following. "Post box is this way," he explained and they jogged after him.

Leah had three letters; Belle had been unsuccessful in her attempt to speak to Warren alone so Harvey had signed his name on his own letter instead. They felt precious in her hands, and each time the wind blew she held them tighter to her chest as if they would be stolen from her at any moment. Her own was twice as bulky as Belle and Harvey's, but then they could sum things up much more eloquently than her. She had begun to write a few pleasantries, but somewhere it had morphed into an essay depicting each one of her new friends in too much detail, even Sirius.

"Are you sure you know where you're going?" Lily asked as they left the comfort of the town and traversed down a nature made path.

"Of course I do," Sirius confirmed, shoving an overhanging branch out of his way. They couldn't hear the shoppers anymore, and a chill ran down Leah's spine. They were surrounded by scattered trees as they plodded up a bank, "Nearly there."

As they reached the peak of the bank, the trees opened up to make way for fields. In the centre of one particular meadow sat a rickety house with a pointed roof and walls which peeled with red paint. Leah shivered again.

"What's that?"

"They've been calling it the Shrieking Shack recently," James explained, casting a secretive glance at Sirius.

"Why?" Lily stepped up to the fence separating the bank and the adjoining field, elbows draped over the top plank.

"People say that they can hear screams coming from it some nights. They think it's haunted."

"Is it haunted?" Leah asked, eyes fixed on the opposing building.

"Not at the moment, but could be if anyone went snooping on a-"

"Padfoot, that's enough." James warned, scratching the back of his head. Sirius shrugged and grinned mischievously. Leah wondered what he had been about to say, probably a sarcastic comment.

"There's your post box," Sirius gestured to a small, cherry red box attached to the fence. It was old and the shutter was falling from its hinges.

"Do people use this? I didn't think muggles could get into Hogsmeade." Leah gripped her letters protectively.

"They aren't but there's this guy who is obsessed with muggles. His son is in our year, Arthur."

"Weasley?" Lily interjected.

"Yeah that's him, his Dad collects the mail and takes it to a near-by muggle village to post properly, gets a real kick out of it." Sirius buried his hands in his jacket pockets; he was still staring at the Shack.

Leah pressed the letters to her heart, and checked that they were all there. Harvey's, Belle's, and her own, once sure she stepped up to the box. The hinge creaked as she lifted it up and popped the envelopes inside. She could hear them hit the bottom as they were the only letters in it.

"Now that's over with, let's go and grab a butterbeer, I'm thirsty."

Neither of the girls was happy about sitting in The Three Broomsticks, where anyone could recognise them, but Sirius and James were adamant. "We can't go through all that trouble sneaking into Hogsmeade, just to send mail. It's a travesty; we need to have a bit of fun."

The room was warm and reminded Leah of Gryffindor common room, they were equally reassuring. People barely noticed them, too busy drinking and conversing with each other. A girl a few years older than them with pink circles in her cheeks bounced over, smiling kindly.

"Rosmerta, have you missed me?" Sirius cried as she rested a hand on the back of his chair.

"Every day," she replied and was awarded with a wink.

"Where are Remus and Peter?"

"We upgraded," James chuckled as Rosmerta eyed the girls, "this is Lily and Leah."

"Nice to meet you, you'll be having four butterbeers then?"

"You know us so well," she grinned and checked the bar.

"You're lucky Mother is out, she was going to report you last time. I had to convince her you had permission. Try not to attract attention."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Rosmerta shook her head, curls pooling over her shoulders, and went to fetch their drinks.

Lily's eyes were as fidgety as her body as she inspected every face around her.

"Relax Lily, we aren't going to get caught."

"You don't know that, we're tempting fate being here. If I get expelled I'll kill you both, I couldn't stand to see Petunia's smug face."

"Who's Petunia?" Leah asked, as Lily jumped when the door opened.

"She's my sister, a muggle."

"A jealous muggle," James corrected, and Lily rolled her eyes.

Rosmerta set their drinks on the table and Leah spotted a newspaper sticking out of her pinafore. She could only read one word, but it was enough to make her heart drop.

"Can I see that?" She asked, and Rosmerta followed her gaze to the newspaper.

"Sure, just leave it on the table when you're done." The barmaid dropped the paper into Leah's waiting hands and waltzed back over to the bar.

Leah scanned the page, trying to absorb the words at an unnatural rate, her pulse quickened. Beverley, it was everywhere in the article and as hard as Leah tried to read, it was all she could focus on. "Are you okay?" Lily asked, leaning over to see the front page.

"Oh no," Lily murmured.

"What is it?" James asked his lip covered in white foam.

"Muggles have been killed by You-Know-Who, a lot of them." Leah hadn't moved as Lily spoke, gawping at the page as if it was about to burst into flames.

"Where?"

"This tiny town, Beverley in Yorkshire. They don't know why," Lily continued, reading the article as she spoke, "they assume he was looking for something, but they don't know what, or if he found it."

The page crinkled in her hands, and Leah felt eyes on her. "What's wrong Higgs?" It was Sirius' voice, but she barely registered it.

Leah was up, grabbing her coat and clutching The Daily Prophet in her hands. She ran from the pub, not caring that her name was being called, and pelted back down the road towards the thicket of trees. Her legs burned and the wind whipped her face until her skin flushed, but she didn't slow down until she was striding over the bank.

There were the fields, and the Shrieking Shack, and the fence, and the post box. Her breathing was uneven as she waved her hand and unlocked the lid. It was dark in the box, so she dug her hand and ran it along the bottom. She knew within seconds that it was empty, but searched anyway, peering into the black. "Lumos," she snapped, and the box lit up. Nothing, there was nothing in it, her letters were gone.

"Leah," Lily panted as she slumped against the box, trying to steady her breathing. The group reached her, but Leah cradled her forehead in the crease of her inner elbow. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"The letters, they're gone." She explained, and Lily inspected the box herself to be sure.

"So what? You wanted them delivered didn't you?" Leah lifted her head at Sirius, but for once he wasn't mocking, he was genuinely confused.

"Whose Dad deals with muggle mail?" She asked, searching for the name in her mind.

"Arthur Weasley," James offered.

"I need to speak to him, right now."

"First, tell us what's going on Higgs."

"I will, after I speak to him. Please, I don't have time." Her eyes were wide with panic, and Sirius seemed to understand the seriousness of the situation, for once.

"Okay, let's go." Still holding the paper in her hand, Leah followed the group back to the sweet shop, and Hogwarts.


Belle sat on the floor beside the statue and rested her head on the wall behind. They had been gone for hours, much longer than they were supposed to and her gut was slowly boiling with worry.

"They won't be long," Remus said, sensing her concern.

"What if they got caught?" She asked rubbing her right thumb against her knuckles.

"James and Sirius are experts at sneaking around. Knowing them, they probably stopped off to get a butterbeer."

It was getting dark, and the suits of armour lining the corridor cast shadows on the carpet. "I shouldn't have let her go." Belle whispered.

A movement made her jump, the statue was open but she couldn't see anyone. Using the wall, she pushed herself up as the slide vanished.

"Belle," from empty air her name was murmured, and Leah appeared, stands of hair sticking up from static. Belle knew something was wrong, and didn't even question how she had made herself invisible.

"What's wrong?" She asked immediately, gripping her sister's arms and meeting her frantic gaze.

"We'd all like to know that, she ran the whole way here." Sirius stepped into view with a layer of sweat clinging to his forehead.

"There have been killings in Beverley, and the letters have already gone." Belle's lips pursed. "We need to find Arthur Weasley, his Dad might still have them."

The girls turned to leave, but Sirius blocked them off. "Get out of my way, Black." Leah ordered, but he didn't move.

"You need to tell us what the hell is going on."

"I told you, I don't have time."

"Arthur Weasley isn't going anywhere in the next five minutes. Now explain why you're freaking out over a few deaths."

Leah was enraged, but stifled it when Belle squeezed her arm. "Be quick," Belle suggested, and Leah swallowed.

"We grew up in Beverley," Leah explained, "our Aunt Maggie lives there."

"I'm sure she's fine Leah, it said only muggles..." Lily's voice faded.

"Aunt Maggie lives like one. I doubt they would be able to tell the difference."

"Then we should go to Dumbledore, ask if he's heard anything-"

"No, I need to find Arthur."

"Why?"

Leah exchanged a look with Belle, and sighed. "Because, Aunt Maggie told us that if she ever went missing or…died," she choked on the word, "we shouldn't visit the house again, or give any evidence that we lived there."

"I don't understand."

"Neither do we," Belle cut in, "she was always secretive, and talked in riddles most of the time. She told us that if she was lost, we had to become lost with her. She was adamant about it. Aunt Maggie would have burnt our mail after she'd read it, she was-is paranoid. If anything has happened to her, she won't be able to do it."

"You aren't making any sense," Sirius shook his head.

"I know we aren't but we don't have time, I keep telling you. Can you please take us to Arthur?"

Sirius relented after Leah scowled at him with pure rage, and led them towards the Gryffindor common room.


Arthur Weasley was small and slightly plump with ginger hair and warm eyes. His eyebrows rose high in his head as the group surrounded him, just before he could clamber through the portrait.

"Can I help you?" He asked politely, and Lily stepped forwards.

"Actually Arthur, could you do me a huge favour?" The boy glanced at the five others behind her and nodded.

"Your Dad, does he still deliver muggle mail?"

"From Hogsmeade? Yes, why?"

"We have a friend who posted some mail today, and needs it back."

"I'm sorry, but Dad only visits the post box once a week, it was done two days ago."

Leah grunted, "But it was gone when they checked today, he must have taken it." The boy winced and stuttered his response.

"I'm sorry, I-I could owl him for you?" Lily smiled and stepped away from him.

"That would be really helpful, thank you." Arthur glanced at the common room where a young girl with equally red hair was watching them.

"Can I go now?"

"Yes, of course, sorry." Arthur jumped in, and the portrait closed. Leah closed her eyes and inhaled sharply, feeling the frustration shaking in her chest.

"Now what?"

"Miss Higgs, and…Miss Higgs." Professor McGonagall appeared, frowning in her unique way. "You are both to come with me. Professor Dumbledore would like to speak to you."

The Marauders glanced at the girls, this was good. He may know if their Aunt was alive.

"We'll wait for you," Lily offered, "you can explain later."

"Okay," Leah held Belle's hand and left the group. Wishing she hadn't chosen that moment to ramble on and try to explain the paranoid workings of her Aunt.


Dumbledore sat at his desk, auburn beard trailing down as he peered at them. Harvey and Warren were already in the office, with matching confused expressions. McGonagall didn't enter with them, only nodding once before shutting the door.

"Girls, please sit down." Dumbledore gestured to two empty seats, which they took cautiously.

"What's going on?" Harvey asked. Leah was sick of that question.

"Before I tell you, I must ask you not to worry." The four stayed silent. "Voldemort has murdered half a dozen muggles in Beverley."

"Aunt Maggie-" Harvey started with wide eyes.

"Is fine, she was not among the dead." A weight left Leah, she was alive.

"However, she is missing." For the first time, Warren caught his brother's eyes and grimaced. "We don't know where she has gone, but suspect that it was because of Voldemort's appearance."

His eyes wandered over the students faces, and settled on Leah's.

"I am sure you are aware that your Aunt has always been a suspicious woman, it was why it took me so long to convince her to let you attend Hogwarts."

"You convinced her?"

"Yes, Maggie was worried that you would be in danger here. She realised earlier this year that it would be safer for you to be away from her."

"Why was she like that?"

"Maggie was keeping something safe at her home. It was a powerful secret and one I share because I believe you are ready."

Harvey tapped his foot on the floor. "What was it?"

"It is magical, and we believe very important. She has left to keep her secret safe, so Voldemort can learn nothing about it."

Belle struggled to believe it, after knowing her Aunt for her entire life. She rejected magic, why would she protect something so vital to the magic community.

"You're lying," Warren apparently agreed with her. "Aunt Maggie wouldn't have got involved with it. Not if it meant we were in danger."

"She had no choice, and as hard as it is to believe, doing it was the only way to ensure your safety. She loves you very much."

Leah found it simple to understand, it was like a puzzle piece had been slotted into place. It was why she destroyed everything and lived in a tiny town where nobody would search for her. If she was keeping something safe, she needed to remain hidden with it. Her throat jolted.

"Letters, we sent her letters. They will get to her house and if You-Know-Who is there he'll know where we are."

Dumbledore reached into his pocket and pulled out three envelopes. "I wouldn't worry about that."

"Our letters…"

"Yes, a friend of mine found them and, knowing your Aunt is on the run, gave them to me." His eye twinkled at the relief on Leah's face.

"I still don't understand," Warren barked, "if You-Know-Who is after her, why's it so important he doesn't know where we are?"

Dumbledore sat back, and exhaled slowly and calmly. "A good question, whether you like it or not, you are your Aunt's weakness. She knew that if Voldemort found you, or knew you existed, he could use you against her."

Another puzzle piece.

The room was quiet for a long time, and the Higgs' barely moved as they allowed the information to sink in.

"Do you know what she was hiding?" Warren asked.

"Yes, but I cannot reveal it to you, not yet." Warren sucked on his teeth, clearly disappointed. "Now, I must ask you to go back to your dormitories. I promise you, if I hear anything more about your Aunt, I will tell you."

"You-Know-Who doesn't know about us?" Harvey confirmed.

"No, and even if he did, you are safe here."

Harvey nodded and stood with the others to leave.

Leah felt both relief and utter befuddlement. Her upbringing now made sense, but how could her Aunt have kept it a secret? Surely it would have been better to tell them? She thought about the others waiting in the common room. She knew she would tell them, she needed to. Even Sirius, she owed them that much after her episode that day. Hopefully, they'd understand.


A/N: Next Chapter won't take as long to be published, I promise.

I would love some reviews for this, I really appreciate people letting me know what they think of the story.

On that note, there was a Guest who gave a really lovely review, and I like to thank my first one for a new story! They said they don't normally review, and I am so happy you did for When We Were Young. Thank you whoever you are :)