Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

A.N/ It's almost over!! I'm excited! This has been like a year in the making. I promise, now that summer's here, I WILL be writing more. Please, enjoy!

Chapter 7

It had been 3 weeks since her brother had been murdered but still, Alyssa felt a strange emptiness that was incomprehensible. With Remus gone and Tonks off at work, Alyssa was left to herself in her family's home for the first time in 4 years. She knew where the Weasley family was; they were all save in the Burrow. Alyssa knew where her Harry was; he was at home with the Dursely's. The only person Alyssa was unaware of in their whereabouts was her best friend, Jessica.

It had turned out that 3 weeks prior, when her brother was killed in front of her and all the members of the Order, Jess had vanished into thin air. It had been 3 lonely, unhappy, and difficult weeks for Alyssa. The loneliness entered when everyone left. The unhappiness was there because she realized that she was the last person living in her family. The difficulty came from trying to occupy her time and realizing just how much she needed people in her life.

Days would go by before she would begin to really worry about Jess but she did do her best to hold herself high. She had survived 16 whole years with her friend gone. But this time was different; she knew her friend was out there but was terrified to think if she was alive or not.

Jess hadn't realized just how long she was gone but she didn't even care; her heart was set on protecting her nephew even if he wasn't within sight at all times. In all actuality, she hadn't even seen Harry since the day Sirius was killed. She had told herself that this was for the best and that she was never built to live in one place.

In the past weeks she had made her way from Godric's Hollow in England all the way to the city Svilengrad in Bulgaria. Why she had traveled so far away from home was unclear in her mind at the time but she knew it had to do with both getting away from the Order and the bustle of England and also searching for her old friends around Europe. It never concerned her that her friends might not be there anymore even though she was fully aware that it had been more than 16 years since she had last seen them.

She stopped in to a small local underground pub for a pint and a moment to catch her breath when it had struck her and struck her hard; it was her best friend's birthday. After receiving her drink, she began thinking; was this the way she was supposed to live her life? Was her friend happy at this moment? Jessica had a sickening feeling that this was not one of Alyssa's best days. After a few sips of the stale ale, she decided it was best to shop for a present. She figured that it would be easier than what she had been doing in the past few weeks. It turned out, though, that this task was easier said then done.

She shopped in the streets of Svilengrad for a few hours before she settled on a present. After she purchased it, she did the only thing she knew she could to get it to her friend; she taped the present lightly with her wand and it suddenly disappeared. After she replaced her wand, Jessica was on her way. She was once again on her way to, hopefully, finding her old friends to band together in her fight against Voldermort or even just giving her some advice or a even a place to stay.

Alyssa woke up late on the cloudy Saturday morning in June. As she got dressed she wondered what she would do today. She figured she might end up visiting the Leaky Cauldron for the first time since the late frigid February day that Jess had felt like drinking just to pass the time. She couldn't understand as to why she just wanted to go out like this but she felt that it'd be for the best if she went out today.

She went downstairs and made herself a more lavish breakfast instead of cold cereal. She had made herself a hot breakfast and even read that mornings copy of the Daily Prophet. Suddenly it had hit her; the reason as to why she was so excited that day was because it was her birthday! As the giddiness subsided she realized just how old she had gotten; 38 years old.

She couldn't help but feel envious of Jess for being about to go out and do as she pleased but then again, she realized how alone Jess was and for the fact that she made herself alone. Jess hated asking for help but hated others company when she was on a personal mission more.

After her breakfast, Alyssa decided to leave for the Leaky Cauldron. Upon opening her front door, she looked down and got a great shock; there laid two boxes, one pink and one white. She brought them into the kitchen and opened the white one with holes first. Alyssa smiled and felt tears coming to her eyes when she saw a small white, brown and black guinea pig inside. She placed it on the table next to the box and listened to it squeak for a few moments as she wondered who would have gotten her this present.

Alyssa then opened the pink box and took out a small cake. She let the tears come rushing out as she read the cake. It said, "Happy Birthday Alyssa. Love Always, Jess." Alyssa felt the most blessed that her friend, even though she wasn't there with her, had remembered her birthday. She packed away the cake and conjured up a cage for her new pet as she began wondering something else; what in the world should she name the guinea pig? She smiled as she placed the small pet into its new home with fresh food and water and said, "I'll be home later, Babbet."

Alyssa then went on her way with a renewed hope in her heart. She was excited to think that today was her birthday and, as the clouds cleared the sky to reveal a beautiful sun, she reminded herself just how much she was loved by her friend and just how much she herself loved her best friend.

Jessica continued on her way after finding her old friend, Christa Barrington, and being denied not only entrance into her home but being completely shut out for her idea. Jessica knew that this was going to be hard, but she underestimated just how much time had passed and how unlikely it was that she was going to find someone who even believed that it was her that was knocking on the door.

Jess reached the chilly city of Moscow when she finally broke; it had taken her an entire month and a half to get to this point and the most she had gotten on this journey across Europe was a coat and one hot meal from a friend in Paris. She broke down in a small witch's hotel above a bar. As she placed her bag on the musty bed and threw her coat next to it, she contemplated whether or not she should return to London. The unfortunate thoughts that entered her mind where those of utter loneliness; she felt as if she had ultimately failed her nephew.

She placed herself down in the chair in front of the window that overlooked the dark alley next to the bar and began to pray that on her return home she would find someone that would be willing to help her. Even though she kept her spirits up, she knew that this was an impossible task; what was she thinking just leaving the safety and comfort of the house of Black to come out and search for the people she was once able to call companions?

Tears flooded her eyes as she remembered that most of the people just slammed the door in her face and even when they hadn't right away, they surely did when they heard her tale of reincarnation. She felt broken and unloved. This felt was all too familiar as she had felt it first hand when she was about to be murdered. She cried hard for nearly an entire hour as she not only recounted the month she had just wasted and the times before her death when she had lived just so happily with Severus. She couldn't believe that in the time that she had been alive now she hadn't even tried to be with Severus.

She then found herself crying once again even though she thought that her eyes were dry. This time, she cried for the past; she just so badly wanted to recapture the past and live happily with everyone again. But soon after she began to cry, Jess felt sick to her stomach.

She rushed into the bathroom and threw herself on the floor in front of the toilet and all hell broke lose from her stomach. When she was finished hurling up the very small meal she had just eaten in the bar, she flushed and washed her mouth out. She suddenly looked into the mirror by accident; a tasked she hadn't done in the entirety of the past month. She looked much older than her body was and she felt as old as her face was revealing. This couldn't possibly be the same exact girl that had left Godric's Hollow more than 6 weeks ago, could it?

She sat herself down on the edge of the bathtub and began to rub her stomach; why was this happening, and at such a bad time? Could it have just been something she ate or was it just her emotions getting to her once again? She reentered her bedroom and opened her bag; she had packed a pair of comfortable black cotton Capri's and somehow managed to take off her muggle jeans and put on the trousers. Jess, after wearing herself out just trying to put on the pants, rested beneath the covers of the bed that felt as if hadn't been cleaned in centuries and just thought that it was the possible stomach flu.

She got lost in sleep as she prayed that she wouldn't hurl anymore that evening.

Alyssa was much more worried that evening than she had been the past 6 weeks since she last saw her friend. She couldn't explain why but she just felt that it wasn't fairing well for her friend. To Alyssa, Jessica was gone too long. This was the longest she hadn't seen her friend since she was reincarnated.

It was a great pleasure to be able to take care of her Babbet but it still didn't satisfy her as much as being able to take care of others. She felt lonely once again but she still carried on valiantly. It was difficult to feel so lonely and carry on but she knew if she wouldn't there wouldn't be anyone here for Jess when she finally returned.

Alyssa, who was ever the optimist, had constantly changed the sheets in her mother's room hoping for the arrival of her friend again. But she had yet to return. At this moment in time, Alyssa had transferred from the stage of being worried to being terrified; where in the world was her friend? Alyssa felt constantly sick from worry and as she sat in the large easy chair with a book in hand and her guinea pig on her lap, she sighed and wondered if all this worrying had finally damaged her health.

She closed her book, placed it on her night table and put Babbet back in her cage. She then changed into her evening wear and began to lie beneath the covers of her bed. She promised herself that she would go to the doctor in the morning, seeing as her health was now hanging on by a very thin thread.

The next morning arrived and Jess woke with the feeling of utter disgust. As she showered she looked began to remove the layers of filth she had collected in the last few weeks. After exiting the shower she once again caught herself looking in the mirror. Her face was looking older with each passing day. This made her want to cry but then remembered her friend who had turned 38 about 3 weeks ago. But then again, her friend looked really good and young.

As she dressed, she wondered if she should start heading back to England or if she should just stay here longer. With a definite conclusion in her mind, Jess looked her room door behind her and headed down to the bar. Her body felt old and heavy and Jess knew for a fact that even if she were to make the trip back to her home in England, it would take her longer than it did to get her due to the thought of failure lurking in her mind. She felt that if she went back, Alyssa would be disappointed in her and Harry would never want to speak to her again. She sighed lightly as she sat down at the bar and asked for just the lightest breakfast they could create.

As it came out to her, she had regretted her decision to eat in this bar. Apparently, the chef had thought that when she said light, he meant in color. She received a plate of rare steak undercooked fries with light colored ale. She barely touched the food and felt that it was unnecessary and excessive to drink so early in the morning. She paid and left to do a little bit of shopping.

After about 30 minutes of shopping, she felt a sudden uprising in her stomach. Jess rain into the alley and looked around desperately for something, anything to release this tension in her stomach. She spotted a nearby garbage can and let loose; the bit of breakfast she had in fact eaten was now in the bottom of the pale and she felt utterly terrible. When she had finished, she wiped her mouth clean and headed towards the nearest doctor.

The only problem with the doctor she had chosen was the fact he was unable to speak a word of English so she was unable to describe what was wrong with her. She felt a surge of frustration that she was unable to control and felt that that was the last straw. With that, Jess headed back to the bar and collected her things; it was now or never now that she was sick. She checked out of the small hotel and began on her journey home.

Alyssa had woken that cloudy morning and got ready for a trip to the doctors. She apparated to a doctor, whom she trusted dearly and sat in the waiting room, hoping that her condition, if she had one, was not too serious. When the doctor was free to see her, she entered the room. She sat upon the cold metal table and waited patiently, her heart racing.

Suddenly, the doctor, who happened to be of magical decent just like her, entered the room with his clipboard and said,

"So, Alyssa. What seems to be the problem?" As Alyssa went down the list of symptoms such as frequent indigestion, terrible heartburn, and dramatic weight loss which she really wasn't entirely complaining about. "We'll run some tests and call you in the morning. For now I want you to take it easy and drink things that could soothe your stomach like milk and eat lighter foods with little to no grease." Alyssa nodded and went along with the tests.

The next morning, the doctor called just like he had said he would. He reported that she had an ulcer in the base of her stomach and that she would need to take pills for the rest of her life so that it doesn't get any worse. The doctor had an owl deliver her prescription to her later that day and Alyssa felt, well, old!

She was only 38 and the constant worrying had caused her to get incredibly sick. This was not the way she had planned she would be at this age.

Quite frankly, she had thought her whole life would be different when she thought about it. She had figured when she was younger that at this age she would have 2 kids with Remus and that Jess and either Severus or Sirius would be on their third baby and James and Lily would still be alive. At that point, Alyssa was in tears because of the image she had conjured in her mind; a happy and joyful time around the dinner table with her friends but in honesty she had to sit at the same table all alone now.

Why was she destined to be so alone?

Jessica had made it back to Germany within 3 more weeks. Many would wonder why she was traveling by foot instead of just apparating and her response was simple enough; monitoring. She feared that the wrong people were now monitoring the Floo Network and also the board of those who monitor witches and wizards who apparate. Jess was getting sicker and the cold rain she was now traveling threw was not helping.

She entered the small German town of Dessau when she collapsed. Luckily, an old farmer had found her and brought her back to his home. He had called a doctor and said that she needed to be placed into a hospital.

Two days passed before Jess woke up in the sterile room. She looked around and felt her head spinning. "What…?" She began. Her mouth was dry and she was unable to speak much but a nurse was right outside her room. Lucky for her, this young and beautiful nurse was able to not only understand but also speak perfect English. She spoke softly to Jess to soothe her,

"Please, try not to move much. You were brought here by a very kind man and this is the first time in the past two days that you've been here that you've actually woken up." The nurse poured her a cool glass of water and handed it to her. "Here, drink this. It should make you feel better."

Jessica did as she was told and sipped slowly. Her head was still swimming as she did her best to comprehend what was going on. Without any warning, Jess burst into tears. The nurse, unscathed by this, rubbed Jess' hand lightly.

"Let it out." The nurse said, "It's only natural to feel this way."

"I feel like a failure!" Jess began, the nurse seemed a little nervous now. "I feel like I let my family down and that I will never be able to regain their trust again! I abandoned my last family member and I know for sure that she will never forgive me even if I come home!" The nurse smiled sympathetically and said,

"Calm down. We all make mistakes. I'm sure that if she is your family, she will love you for who you are and forgive all of your mistakes. Trust me, life is not easy, but you're going to be alright!" The nurse continued the rub Jess' hand and smile as Jess just let all her tears come out.

After a while, the nurse left but told Jess that she would be back soon. A doctor soon entered and said that he had to run tests to see if there were any damages done to her body that he couldn't see from her constant travels and also her fall that she had taken.

It was 2 weeks later that Jessica was able be released from the hospital. The doctor released her only on the premise of her taking better care of herself. Jess had eaten well in the hospital and had, thankfully, gained a few extra pounds that were surprisingly visible.

It was early in August when she was released and it wouldn't be until the end of the month that she would finally land back into England. She slowly walked the rainy streets of downtown London in the large coat she had received months earlier. She then reached the doorstep of her best friends' home. As she climbed the stairs, she contemplated what she was going to say.

Jess raised her hand to knock on the door but hesitated to knock. She gulped hard and suddenly turned and fled the stoop, fearing rejection once again. She rushed down the streets and found herself at the Leaky Cauldron. She entered quietly and sat down. Jess sat quietly for nearly 2 hours, wallowing in her own pity until she felt a strange pain in her heart.

She rushed to the bar and asked the bartender the date. He replied to her,

"It's August 18th. Why?" Jess gasped and rushed herself into Diagon Alley. She felt so dumb for forgetting. Jessica realized it had been nearly a month since the event had passed.

She ran from shop to shop contemplating what to get. When she settled on something small but hopefully useful; an anti-burglar buzzer, two dozen chocolate frogs, and an auto-answer quill. She had the items gift wrapped and rushed out of the last store. She rushed out of the store and began to mentally curse herself; how could she have forgotten her nephews' birthday?! It had been the last day of July and now she felt completely horrible!

As she rushed towards the Leaky Cauldron, she began to feel her head spin. Suddenly, without any warning, Jess collapsed again. This time, unfortunately, no one was around to help her.

Would Jessica be able to make it or would this be the way she was going go without seeing her friends again?

END!!

A.N/ That's finally it for this chapter!! I really needed to dump that out of there. I hope you all liked it!

-Jessi