There was a new lightness in George's step as he and Julie made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron. They hadn't discussed where they would be going, but they seemed to automatically know. George looked up at the dark blue sky speckled with stars and tried to remember when he had felt this good. It had been a long time. He probably wouldn't be feeling this good right now if it weren't for the girl walking next to him and her presence in his dreams last night – but he quickly shoved that thought far away.
Julie was entertaining him with stories about the customers she had had that day. George was listening with amusement and a small smile. When they reached the Leaky Cauldron, George held the door open for her and they both sat down at a table. Looking around, George realized that everyone who had been in the joke shop had probably come over here when they were done with their shopping. There was more than one familiar face in the pub tonight, and as the night wore on George's mood only improved.
By the time he said goodnight to Julie and started home, he felt better than ever. George entered the shop and set to work on getting some more stock ready for the next day. It was late before he finally went upstairs and fell into bed. He was so tired that he went to sleep almost immediately and didn't even dream for the first time in months.
- - - - -
The next few days passed by in a blur. The shop and Diagon Alley as a whole were so busy that Julie and George barely had time to breathe. Julie would hurry to work early in the morning and she and George would get the store set up in time to open. The two new associates, Kyler and Grace, worked most of the day and were a big help. When the shop closed, with many of the shelves empty, George would count the money while Julie cleaned. Then they would part ways and get ready to go through the same process all over again the next day.
Many people came in to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes over the next several days that George and Julie recognized. Harry Potter dropped by to say hello, along with George's brother Ron and sister Ginny, and Hermione Granger as well. Lee Jordan, a good friend of George and Fred's from school came by several times to visit. So many more people that Julie knew from her days at Hogwarts came through the store the week before school started that she lost count. It did a lot to buoy her spirits, though, and by the end of the week she felt significantly more cheerful.
After school started, the joke shop wasn't nearly as busy. Kyler and Grace each had their own, steady, part-time schedule now, and the days weren't so much of a rush for George and Julie. It didn't take long for all of them to settle into a routine. Julie knew that soon she would have to deal with some issues, but for now she was content just to live this simple life day by day.
- - - - -
As it often is with life, those issues that Julie had hoped to put off for some time suddenly intruded on her one morning.
She was standing in front of the mirror in her room, just finishing getting ready for work, when there was a tap at the window. She set her hairbrush down and hurried to open it and let in the owl, who promptly flew over to stand on the little table in the corner. Julie quickly closed the window again – it was raining and the wind was blowing it right into her room. The owl was patiently holding out a leg, on which was tied an envelope. Julie untied it and then poured some water from a cup into a small bowl for the ruffled owl. "I'm sorry I don't have any food, but you can have some water," she told it and the owl hooted gratefully before bending its head to drink.
Julie looked at the envelope in her hand curiously. She didn't recognize the handwriting. With a slight frown, she turned it over and broke the seal. Inside was one sheet of paper. She unfolded them and realized that it was a letter. Puzzled, she sank onto her bed to read the unfamiliar handwriting.
Julie Tucker,
I trust this letter finds you well. This is deplorable weather
we have been experiencing.
You may not remember me. I am Lola Winchester.
Your father was my brother.
I have his will at my home and have sorted everything
out since his and your mother's and brother's deaths.
Everything is quite in order and you will need to come
immediately so that we can finish up this business. I am
sure you know that everything has been left to you and
you need to come claim your possessions.
Please respond as soon as you can – by return owl if
possible. I will expect your reply no later than two days
from now.
The letter was signed with an elaborate signature: "Lola Rose Winchester." Julie read the letter again two times before letting it fall to the floor. She rested her elbows on her knees and buried her face in her hands. Why now? Things were going so well. Why did she have to deal with this now? She would rather just forget about it, really. Maybe if she didn't reply…
But no. She had to. These were her possessions that were in question, after all. Even if this was a matter she would rather avoid, Julie knew she couldn't. Oh well, perhaps it was better to deal with it now than to put it off any longer. With a sigh, Julie picked up the letter, took some of her own parchment off her dresser, and sat at the table to compose a reply. The owl was sitting on the table still, watching Julie with wise eyes.
"If only you could give me advice and tell me what to do," Julie whispered to it. The owl merely blinked in reply and Julie smiled weakly. She took her quill and put it to the parchment, quickly writing out the answer to her aunt's letter. It was short, to the point, and not nearly as elegant looking as Lola's letter. Julie simply stated that she would come whenever it was convenient for Lola, and commented that she would need directions. She signed her name, tied it to the leg of the owl, and sent it on it's way back into the rain.
The arrival of the owl and the letter had completely ruined Julie's day. She didn't want to go to work now – didn't even want to leave her little room. With another heavy sigh, she decided that she didn't really have a choice. She needed to work, she wanted to see George, and maybe the shop would get her mind off things. She grabbed her umbrella and made her way down the stairs.
As soon as she reached the bottom, Julie stopped in surprise. "George?"
He was standing at the bar talking to Tom, but he turned when he heard her voice, and smiled slightly. "Good morning, Julie."
"What are you doing here?" she asked, puzzled. This certainly was unusual. She couldn't think of any reason for George to be at the Leaky Cauldron in the morning, especially one as rainy as this.
"Coming to check on you actually," he answered, with a raised eyebrow. "I wanted to make sure you were okay. Normally you are at the shop before now, so I thought maybe something was wrong." There was a hint of question in George's voice, but he was too polite to ask directly. Julie was glad; she didn't want to talk about it.
"Oh, sorry about that." She managed a smile. "I got a letter from my aunt. In reading the letter and writing a reply, I guess I lost track of time." She began to walk toward the door, waiting for George to follow suit. "Thank you for coming, though," Julie added as he caught up with her and opened the door for her to precede him out into the rain, touched that George would be so considerate. "I appreciate your thinking of me."
"Don't mention it," he answered, waving his hand. He had brought his own umbrella, so both of them were carrying one over their heads as they walked down the street. "It was a beautiful day for a walk, anyway," George added with a grin.
Julie laughed, surprising herself. "Oh yes, definitely the perfect day for a walk." She looked pointedly down at their feet as they splashed through the myriad of puddles. "I just love having wet feet at the start of my day."
"As do I. We have a lot in common." George grinned at her again, wiggling his eyebrows mischievously.
With another laugh, Julie realized that she was glad she was going to work today after all. If anyone could take her mind off of things, it would be George. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. His mood had remained cheerful ever since it had suddenly and mysteriously turned that way. She still didn't understand it, but she was glad to have him somewhat back to normal.
George sensed her studying him and turned to look at her. Before she could look away, he winked, causing her stomach to do a quick somersault as she averted her gaze. Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink, but it wasn't really noticeable this dark morning. Julie lectured herself in her mind. What had gotten into her anyway?
