Time
"Get me out of here. Please," Sophia asked Arthur as she sat on the bed grumpy like in a bath robe "I must admit, I heard Muriel was a nightmare on numerous occasions from Ron and the twins but I never thought she was this bad,"
"I'm sorry, Sophia, but where else can I take you to be safe?" he remarked rhetorically and she huffed in response
"Living on the streets would be better than staying in this hell hole. The appearance of this house is deceiving... I feel cheated," Sophia pouted and Arthur patted her cheek amused "I can't believe I took my pants off in front of her. I'll never be able to live that one down," Arthur started laughing as he unpacked Leon's things. Sophia stayed sitting on the bed seething with embarrassment.
"Well, at least you now know not to offend tea cups," he laughed
"I didn't exactly think that the... Bloody tea cup had a mind of its own did I?" Sophia remarked her straight brown hair bounding in front of her face as she said so
"Calm down, Sophia. You're not going to help anybody by getting angry," Arthur commented wisely and Sophia sighed heavily "Besides, once the dramas' cooled down a bit at home, then you and Leon are coming straight home alright?"
"Thanks Arthur for everything, truly," Sophia half smiled now more aware of the burn on her face. Arthur noticed this and sat down next to her to examine it.
"I don't understand why we can't remove the scar..." he mused as he traced it from under her temple to the side of her mouth. "Does it hurt?"
"Not at all, just when I smile,"
"Curious,"
"When are you leaving?"
"Not until tomorrow morning," Arthur answered absently as he tried another healing spell on her cheek which was futile
"Are you still taking the car?" Sophia asked trying to keep the hopeful tone absent. Arthur sighed tiredly looking older than he already was dropping his hands from her face.
"No. I'm apparating back." he said with a tone of finality and got up to put Leon's suitcase under the bed
"So your leaving the car with me?"
"Yes. I'm not giving you permission but I'm not saying no anymore. You are a young adult and you are entitled to your freedom," he finished and Sophia jumped up off the bed and hugged him tightly
"Thank you, thank you," Sophia breathed close to tears
"Yes, well alright dear I never said I agreed," Arthur corrected still apprehensive "There's one condition though if you do end up going,"
"Anything," she said as she pulled back
"You have to tell me when you leave, when you're there and when you've left,"
"But how am I going to do that?" She asked scandalised, Arthur then pulled out a piece of parchment from his pocket and handed it to Sophia
"This piece of parchment has a twin back at the Burrow where Molly checks it every now and again to see that we're alright," Arthur explained, Sophia rolled it over in her hands
"Ingenious..."
"Molly and I made it when we were in Hogwarts," He laughed "People still wondered how we talked to each other through lessons without saying a word."
"I'm sure there were other purposes, hey? Arthur?" Sophia prodded now thoroughly amused at his red tone
"W-well, I-I- that is none of your business young lady," He said sternly and Sophia laughed
Early next morning Arthur was now departing to go back to the Burrow. He and Leon were hugging at the gate and Sophia stood back watching with a small smile
"Be a good boy for Sophia and Aunt Muriel, won't you?"
"No, just Sophie. Aunt Muriel is horrible," Leon corrected and Arthur grinned bending down to meet him at eye level. He began to whisper quietly and Leon nodded "Of course Papa," they hugged again and then Arthur stepped forward to see Sophia off
"Be careful alright, if anything goes wrong-"
"I'll message you. Got it." Sophia finished and Arthur smiled sadly
"I don't want to leave you here with Muriel, but I have to,"
"We'll be fine, I promise,"
"If you say so," Arthur said before giving her a quick kiss on her forehead "I'll message you to say I got home alright, or if there are any changes,"
"Okay, give our love to the others," Sophia finally said before he nodded and disappeared with a gust of wind.
"I want to do that, Sophia. Can I?" Leon asked with bright eyes and Sophia laughed
"One day, Leon, maybe one day,"
Weeks had past since Arthur's departure and no changes were made at the Burrow as security on their house was as tight as ever. Days were growing colder and colder and Muriel seemed to enjoy Leon's company much to his disgust.
Sophia was now sitting by the large window in the small study that Muriel owned which was never used.
"Would Miss. Elian like a cup of tea?" Baubles asked coming out of nowhere with a bow. Sophia moved her gaze from the window and looked at the small elf who was coming out of its bow
"May I please have a hot chocolate?"
"As Miss. Elian wishes," She said before disappearing. Sophia turned back to the window and thought hard about what was to happen next in the book. "Baubles has brought Miss. Elian a cup of hot chocolate as she requested,"
"Thank you, Baubles," Sophia said and Baubles bowed and left the room quietly to assist Muriel who was screeching for the house-elf. "What happens next...?" She mumbled to herself thinking "Christmas is soon... that means Harry is going to Godric's Hollow with only Hermione. Ron left. Ron's going to leave..." She realised and held onto her cup unsettled
"Sophie! Sophia!" Leon screamed bursting into the room throwing her out of her reverie
"What? What is it?" Sophia questioned alarmed
"Hide me, please! If she makes me wear one of her costumes again I'll scream!" he begged and Sophia raised a look
"Leon you're already screaming," Sophia laughed "You've given your position away hide in the closet, she'll never find you there,"
"But she did, within one minute! I was counting!"
"Stay here with me then, you want some of my drink?"
"Please," he replied enthusiastically taking the cup out of her hands and drinking it. Sophia moved over on the couch and Leon sat next to her comfortably
"What do you want for Christmas Leon? Did you want anything?" Sophia asked absently still looking outside which was looking like it was about to snow
"Can I get a wand for Christmas!" He asked excitedly
"Sorry Leon, you have to wait until you're 11," She smiled and Leon pouted
"Can I have an owl then?" Leon requested "Like Harry's. A white one." Sophia pursed her lips
"We'll see what we can do," She replied kissing the top of his head and making him smile
Thank you for all your reviews again :)
and pictures of people who I thought would play the OC's are up on my profile :)
Kinkikid xx